WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD! (KOG Seminar #1, Segment I)

INTRODUCTION – Welcome to the Kingdom of God Seminar series! Today we embark on a journey into a bold new world soon to come to this earth. Time is of the essence because our world today is waning—coming to its end before that new world begins. We are privileged to live at the turning point of an epoch—at the crossroads of history! This new world will be lovingly governed as one overall kingdom—the Kingdom of God. The whole world will have one great King, or King of Kings—Jesus Christ. All the nations will look to Him. Jesus teaches in the model prayer to begin (after hallowing God’s name) by praying “Thy Kingdom come.”

• What is the Kingdom of God and how will it come to earth?

• What does the Kingdom of God have to do with the gospel?

• As the prophecies of God’s Kingdom unfold in the months and years ahead, how will they affect America and all other nations?

• What does the Kingdom of God offer us today during these turbulent times?

SPS • This Seminar series will make clear from the Bible the meaning of the gospel of the Kingdom of God, what it will affect the world, plus the profound changes it can make in our lives personally now.

• This first segment in the seminar is a welcoming introduction to God’s Kingdom, showing why it is a missing dimension of knowledge in the world’s governments, business, education, religious systems—and especially why the Kingdom of God is the missing dimension in the gospel preached in most of modern Christianity.

BODY 1. Most of Christianity preaches an incomplete gospel.

• Baker’s Concise Dictionary of Religion defines the gospel as “The good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and lives for our blessing.”

• Notice what the Apostle Paul says about the gospel: NKJ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you -- unless you believed in vain. 3 ¶ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…..

• The word first could refer either to first in time order, meaning that Christ’s death and resurrection is the first major event in God’s plan to save mankind, or it could mean that is death and resurrection is first in importance in the gospel message.

• But regardless of which meaning is intended, the very mention of the word first indicates that there is more to the gospel message than the death and resurrection of Christ, important though that is. Jesus preached the “gospel of the Kingdom of God. NKJ Mark 1:14-15 14 ¶ Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

• What is the Kingdom of God? 2. The Kingdom that nobody knows

• The Kingdom of God is not understood by most of modern Christianity.

• Walk down the aisle of the doctrine section of any Bible bookstore and try to find books about the KOG or books which have the Kingdom of God in the title. There will be plenty of books about Heaven, Hell, the Holy Spirit, Grace, etc. But there will be very few or none about the Kingdom of God.

• What does the Bible say the Kingdom of God is?

• Before we see what it is, let’s understand what it isn’t. The Kingdom of God is not Heaven or in Heaven. NKJ John 3:13 Jesus stated that "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

• Matthew is the only one of the gospel writers who used the term “kingdom of heaven.”

• The Kingdom of Heaven in the Bible means exactly the same as the Kingdom of God. NKJ Matthew 19:23-24 ¶ Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Is the Kingdom of God within people’s hearts? NKJ Luke 17:20 ¶ Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

• The Pharisees were against Christ and the Kingdom of God so it wasn’t in them.

• The Greek entos translated “within” is better rendered “in your midst.” BBE Luke 17:20 ¶ And when the Pharisees put questions to him about when the kingdom of God would come, he gave them an answer and said, The kingdom of God will not come through observation: 21 And men will not say, See, it is here! or, There! for the kingdom of God is among you.

• “observation” (Gr. paraterēsis) = careful watching

• The Pharisees were exposed to the Kingdom of God in the person of its King, Jesus Christ.

• Jesus as King of Kings of the Kingdom of God was right there in their midst expounding His message, but they were rejecting His gospel of the Kingdom. Is the Church the Kingdom of God? NRS Colossians 1:13-14 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• God’s people live by the standards and values of the Kingdom of God, but the Kingdom in its fullness will not be on earth until the return of Jesus Christ, as we will see. NKJ Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven….

• Notice that it doesn’t say we are in heaven, but our citizenship is in heaven.

• What does this mean?

• “The word translated “citizenship” (πολίτευμα), found only here in the NT, … was used to designate a colony of foreigners or relocated veterans (BGD) whose purpose was to secure the conquered country for the conquering country by spreading abroad that country’s way of doing things, its customs, its culture, its laws, and so on. … Its citizens, therefore, were also citizens of Rome with all of the rights and privileges awarded to any Roman born in the imperial city. In writing this word, πολίτευμα, to the Philippian church, Paul was thus using a word that would appeal to them and to which they could easily relate. ... Each local church is a colony of heaven, its members enjoying full citizenship of the heavenly city …. “(The Word Biblical Commentary). NKJ Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

• This verse goes on to describe the return of Christ and a future “transformation” of our bodies.

• What connection does this have with the Kingdom of God? 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 ¶ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

• Here is another shocking truth—we are not immortal or have an immortal soul.

• We must ¬put on immortality via a resurrection, which will take place at the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Let’s look at more of what the Bible says about the Kingdom of God. 3. Jesus Christ constantly taught about the Kingdom of God The Kingdom of God must be the highest priority in our lives. NKJ Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, The Kingdom of God should be of the highest value in our lives. NKJ Matthew 13:44-46 ¶ " Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 ¶ " Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

• Like the “Pearl of Great Price,” most of Christ’s parables were about the Kingdom of God (As we saw earlier Kingdom of heaven” means exactly the same as Kingdom of God—Matthew used the terms interchangeably). The Kingdom of God can and must be entered. NKJ Matthew 19:23-24 ¶ Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The Kingdom is a government. NRS Matthew 19:27-28 Then Peter said in reply, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

• Jesus promised the 12 apostles that they would rule the 12 tribes of Israel in the millennial Kingdom of God on earth. God offers eternal life in the Kingdom of God. NKJ Matthew 19:29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 4. The Prophets anticipated the Kingdom of God NKJ Acts 3:19-21 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 "and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Daniel anticipated the time of God’s Kingdom. NKJ Daniel 2:44 "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

• Notice that this prophecy refers to the Kingdom of God replacing existing human governments on this earth.

• Requirements of a Kingdom—and the Kingdom of God on earth • Government—the ruling family, presently God the Father and Jesus Christ • Territory—the world and the universe

• Subjects—mankind and angels • System of law—God’s law and way of life Isaiah prophesied about the Kingdom of God. NKJ Isaiah 2:2-4 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.

• Mountains and hills are symbols for governments.

• The Kingdom of God on earth will be a time of true world peace.

• It’s also a time of spiritual awakening to God’s truth for all nations. 5. Much of Bible prophecy focuses on man’s troubles at the end of this age NKJ Daniel 12:1-3 ¶ "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. Matthew 24:21-22 21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

• There is only one time in history that is unique, so this passage is speaking of the same time as in Daniel 12. • Jesus prophesied the real potential for humanity to annihilate itself but promises to prevent that from happening.

• That potential exists today, so the world needs the Kingdom of God—now! Jesus reveals signs of the end of this age—from the pivotal prophecy of Matthew 24

• Religious deception and false messiahs: Matt. 24:4-5 • Wars and rumors of war: Matt. 24:6

• International tensions, famines, pestilences, earthquakes: Matt. 24:7

• Religious persecution, betrayal and offence: Matt. 24:9-10

• False prophets: Matt. 24:11

• False prophets—recent example of radio evangelist Harold Camping unwisely predicting that Christ would return on May 21, 2011—now revised to October—or others who say the world will end in 2012.

• Lawlessness and lack of love in society: Matt. 24:12 6. Personal and family strategy—spiritual endurance: Matt. 24:13

• To endure the troubles ahead requires spiritual strength.

• Spiritual strength comes from Jesus Christ, the source of strength.

• We need Christ as King of the Kingdom in our lives now. 7. Ecclesiastical strategy—preach the gospel of the Kingdom: Matt. 24:14

• This is the reason why the United Church of God publishes The Good News, Vertical Thought and World News and Prophecy magazines, plus numerous other instructive booklets and Bible study courses, plus Beyond Today television.

• The world needs to be warned of the trouble, encouraged by the gospel of the Kingdom and lives need to be changed for the better today.

CONCLUSION • The Kingdom of God has been misunderstood or ignored—even though Jesus taught it constantly.

• Yet the gospel of that Kingdom could inform the world exactly why it’s facing such trouble and what the true solutions are.

• The Kingdom of God Seminar series will unfold for you from the Bible this incredible truth.

• Why is the Kingdom of God so intensely relevant and vital to our time and our lives—right now?

• When we come back from our break for refreshments, we’ll address head-on the segment entitled “Why Our World Needs the Kingdom of God—Now!”