Title: The Kingdom of God in Reality
Contents
♡♥♡ Kingdom of God in reality / Luke 17:20,21
***Introduction
When I was doing out-of-the-way evangelism in Busan, there was a question that people always asked. The question is, “Do you believe there is a heaven and a hell?” However, trust. Almost all of those who answered, regardless of their beliefs, said, "I believe there is a heaven and a hell." To the person who answered that they believe that there is a heaven and a hell, we ask again, “Then do you know the way to heaven or the way to hell?” To this question, the unbelievers gave several answers, such as ‘I can do a lot of good deeds!’, ‘I just need to accumulate many merits’, ‘I don’t know’. Occasionally, some people suggested their own conditions, saying, ‘If you show the heavens, you will believe!’ But even among those who believed, some answered, ‘I don’t know for sure.’
Do you clearly believe in heaven and hell? Then there is one thing I want to ask you. If you could describe your current life, would it be heaven? Or is it hell? It's neither this nor that, is it just living vaguely? Or do you live a busy life with no time to think about heaven or hell?
Jesus clearly said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” The word ‘in you’ here means ‘in the midst of you’ rather than ‘in each individual heart’. That is, “in the midst of God’s people”. The kingdom of God is established in the lives of God's people. This is because the kingdom of God is not accomplished at some point in the past or will come suddenly one day.
1. What is the kingdom of God?
Guys, what do you call ‘the kingdom of God’? The ‘Kingdom of God’ is the place where God’s rule and sovereignty extend.
Where in the whole universe is God's rule and sovereignty out of reach? Then, is the entire universe the kingdom of God? That's right. The whole universe is the kingdom of God. However, the meaning we are looking for here refers to a nation made up of God's own people under God's rule.
Titus 2:14. “He gave Himself for us, that we might be redeemed from all iniquity, and that we might be purified, that we might become a people of His own, zealous for good works.” In Revelation 21:3, “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and God dwells with them, and they shall be God's people, and God Himself is with them.” He does. These words show the realization of the kingdom of God on this earth and the eternal kingdom of God that will be realized in the future. In this way, whether in reality or after the end of time, the kingdom of God where God's good rule is achieved is overflowing with peace, joy, thanksgiving, and love. Revelation 22:3-5. “There shall be no more curse, and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in them; and his servants shall serve him, and they shall see his face, and his name shall be upon their foreheads. There will be no more night, and lamps and sunlight are useless, for the Lord God shines upon them. They will reign forever and ever.”
On the other hand, there are those who reject the rule of God. Of them, God said that they had left them to do their own lusts. Romans 1:28. “And since they did not want to keep God in their hearts, God gave them over to a lost spirit, to do what is not fitting.” God's good rule is withdrawn from those who reject and rebel against God. The kingdom of God will never be established for them. They will only have a kingdom ruled by Satan, their leader and father of lies. Therefore, their world is full of iniquity, lies, suffering, wickedness, and all kinds of sins.
2. Where is the kingdom of God now?
Where is the kingdom of God now, and when will it come to pass? Many believers believe that the kingdom of God will come after the end of the world. The Lord said in Luke 11:20, “If I cast out demons by the hand of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” The exorcism of demons is based on the reign of God. Therefore, the casting out of demons by Jesus or through the 70 disciples sent out means that God's reign is already being accomplished on this earth and among God's people.
The kingdom of God is being established in the hearts of those who have received Jesus Christ, and also among God's people. In verse 21 of the text, the place where the kingdom of God will take place is said to be “in you”. The English Bible translates it as “the kingdom of God is in your midst.” In other words, it means ‘the kingdom of God is among God’s people.’ However, it is not already fully accomplished, but is “continuing to be done”. Its fulfillment will be accomplished in the new heavens and new earth when Jesus returns according to God's promise.
3. What are the signs that the kingdom of God will be established?
If the kingdom of God has already come to this earth and is continuing to work, how can sin, disease, and suffering still exist, the saints suffer, and the evil forces prevail? This question has been a question that the saints have been asking since the past. Take Habakkuk 1:13 as an example. “You have a pure eye, and you cannot see evil or see rebellion. Why do you stand by the treacherous, and the wicked swallow up those more righteous than them, yet remain silent?”
Then, what are the signs of the coming of God's kingdom in the present moment? If you expect any external signs, you will be disappointed. Many people are disappointed in their faith in Jesus in anticipation of these external signs. In other words, if you believe in Jesus, you can expect tangible results, such as getting well soon, getting rich, or things going well. But the kingdom of God is not like that. As verse 21 says, “It cannot be said that it is here or there.”
If we believe in Jesus, we may receive temporal blessings. You may get better, or you may make good money. But that is not the essence of the kingdom of God. A person who truly believes sincerely can die of cancer or even die in a car accident. You try to live by faith, but you may fail in business. The kingdom of God that Jesus speaks of is the beginning of the spiritual kingdom. Therefore, the kingdom of God can be known through the peace of mind and overflowing joy through salvation and eternal life. Are you or your family in heaven right now? I pray that the kingdom of God will be fully established among us by trusting and relying on God according to today's Word.