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The Kingdom Series
Contributed by Karl Walker on Aug 4, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: The Kingdom of God is an everlasting Kingdom that does not end.
The KINGDOM has been given to us!
In these days, especially after the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, several preachers are preaching about the end times and of the Kingdom being restored to Israel.
However, when reading the gospels, you cannot miss the words of Jesus when he revealed to the Jews in parables that the Kingdom WAS come and that the Kingdom was being TAKEN AWAY from them and was going to be given to others who would bear fruits.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus clearly tells them that the Kingdom was being given to others.
Matthew 21:40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes back, what will he do to those tenants?
41 They said to Him, He will put those wretches to a miserable death and rent the vineyard to other tenants of such a character that they will give him the fruits promptly in their season.....
43 I tell you, for this reason the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the fruits of it.
The KINGDOM has been taken away from them and given to others - Us!
Yet, some religious people would argue and say that Jesus was not speaking about the Jews - here's proof that He was -
Matthew 21:45 And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables (comparisons, stories used to illustrate and explain), they perceived that He was talking about them.
John came preaching the Kingdom, Jesus came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.
The KINGDOM of God HAS been taken away from the Jews and has been given to us and today it is called the CHURCH, the BODY OF CHRIST, the KINGDOM of GOD.
It is time the church wakes up from its slumber and start realizing that the Kingdom is HERE - RIGHT HERE!
God spoke through Jeremiah and told them not to remember the ark of the covenant. Jeremiah 3:16 And it shall be that when you have multiplied and increased in the land in those days, says the Lord, they shall no more say, The ark of the covenant of the Lord. It shall not come to mind, nor shall they [seriously] remember it, nor shall they miss or visit it, nor shall it be repaired or made again [for instead of the ark, which represented God's presence, He will show Himself to be present throughout the city].
God specifically told them not to rebuild the ark of the covenant as He wanted to dwell among them and bless them, but they rebelled and disobeyed and rebuilt the temple and tried to institute a form of worship.
Jeremiah 3:19 And I thought how [gloriously and honorably] I would set you among My children and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage, the most beautiful and best [inheritance] among all nations! And I thought you would call Me My Father and would not turn away from following Me.
3:20 Surely, as a wife treacherously and faithlessly departs from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously and faithlessly with Me, O house of Israel, says the Lord.
When Jesus came to His own, they did not receive him. They did not receive him and did not receive and welcome the Kingdom. They went as far as to KILL him and they lost the Kingdom.
John 1:11 He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own-His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.
But when you and I received him - HE gave us the power to be called the SONS OF GOD!
John 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name-
Therefore we do not owe our birth to the flesh but to God.
John 1:13 Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!.
Church Arise! Arise and know your Savior lives in you and you in him. The Kingdom is HERE. It is not going to appear in any country - the Kingdom of God is within YOU!
Luke 17:21 Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].
Saints of the most high God, do not let anyone fool you and tell you that the Kingdom of God is going to be established in Israel or in any other country. That is a lie.
The KINGDOM of God is right here - in you and you are in the Kingdom. So start Manifesting the Christ Life and rule as Sons of the Most High God.
Blessings!!