Reference: Kingdom Of God
Hastings
The Biblical writers assume that the Creator of the heavens and the earth must needs be also the everlasting Ruler of the same. The universe is God's dominion, and every creature therein is subject to His power. And so the Hebrew poets conceive God as immanent in all natural phenomena. Wind and storm, fire and earthquake, lightnings and torrents of waters are but so many signs of the activity of the Almighty Ruler of the world (Ps 18:7-15; 68:7-18; 104). The same heavenly Power is also the supreme Sovereign of men and nations. 'The kingdom is Jehovah's, and he is the ruler over the nations' (Ps 22:28). 'Jehovah is king over all the earth' (Zec 14:9). 'He sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the Inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers
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from that time Jesus began to preach, "Repent, said he, for the kingdom of the Messiah draws nigh."
Blessed are they, that are of an humble spirit, for of such is the kingdom of the Messias.
Blessed are they who are persecuted upon the account of righteousness: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.
for I declare to you, that except your righteousness shall exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall not enter into the heavenly kingdom.
in the mean time John having heard in his confinement of the actions of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to ask him, art thou he that was to come, or must we expect another? read more. Jesus answered them, go and relate to John, what you hear and what you see: the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. and happy is he who does not stumble at my appearance.
I declare unto you, among the whole race of prophets, there never appear'd a greater than John the Baptist: (notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of the
but he answered, every plantation which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be rooted up.
I declare unto you, some are here present, who shall not die, till they have seen the son of man enter into his kingdom.
and said, I declare to you, except ye lay aside your ambition, and become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the Messias.
Jesus reply'd, I declare unto you, that in the new age, when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye that have followed me shall likewise sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus reply'd, I declare unto you, that in the new age, when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye that have followed me shall likewise sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
But what do you think of this? a man had two sons, and coming to the first, he said, son, go, work to-day in my vineyard. I won't, said he: but afterward be chang'd his mind, and went. read more. then he came to the other, and bid him do the same. and he answered, yes, sir; but went not. which of the two obey'd his father? they said, the first. Jesus reply'd, I declare to you, that the publicans and licentious people enter into the gospel kingdom before you. for John instructed you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the licentious believed him. and tho' you saw that, you did not yet repent, so as to believe him.
wherefore I declare to you, the gospel dispensation shall be taken from you, and given to a nation that shall make a proper use thereof.
And Jesus continued to speak to them in parables, and said, the kingdom of the Messiah is such, as when a certain king made a wedding-feast for his son. read more. he sent out his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come. then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment. but instead of showing any regard, they went their ways, one to his farm, another to his traffick. others seiz'd his servants, outrageously abused them, and slew them. when the king was informed of this, he was greatly incensed, and having order'd his forces to march, he put those murderers to death, and laid their city in ashes. then he said to his servants, the feast is ready, but they who were invited were very unworthy. go therefore into the high streets, and as many as ye find, invite to the marriage: accordingly they went about the streets, and assembled all they met indifferently, both good and bad: so that the hall was furnished with guests. but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him, friend, how came you in hither, without a wedding garment? and he was speechless. then said the king to the servants, bind him hand and foot, take him away, and turn him out in the dark: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. thus many are called, but few are converted.
Jesus answered them, take care not to be deceived by any one: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ: and shall deceive many. read more. ye shall hear likewise of wars, and rumours of wars: take care not to be disturb'd: for these things must happen, but the end of the Jewish age is not yet. for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. yet all this is but the beginning of sorrow. then shall they deliver you up to torments, and to death: and ye shall be hated by all nations upon my account. then shall many relapse, and shall pursue one another with mutual treachery and hatred. many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. and as iniquity becomes more flagrant, the zeal of many will grow cool. but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be preserved. and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, to testify to all nations, that the end will then come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, mention'd by Daniel the prophet, stand about the holy place, (let him that readeth, consider it well) let those who are then in Judea, flee into the mountains, he that is on the battlements, let him not venture to go in to take any thing out of his house. if any man be in the field, let him not return back to take his coat. unhappy will they be that are with child, and they that give suck in those days. be sure to pray that your flight be not in the winter, nor on the sabbath-day: for the desolation will be so dreadful, the like was never seen since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be again. for unless the time was to be short, very few could escape, but for the sake of the converts the time shall be short. Then if any shall cry, the Messiah is here, or he is there: give no credit to it. for there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew such astonishing miracles and prodigies, as to deceive, if that can do it, the very converts themselves. remember, I have forewarn'd you. wherefore, if they shall say to you, now he is in the desert, do not stir: or now, he is in the secret chambers, believe them not. for as the lightning darts from the east in an instant to the west: such shall the advent of the son of man be. for whereever the carcase is, there will the eagles be assembled. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkned, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkned, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkned, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. then shall that sign, the son of man in the clouds of heaven, appear: and all the tribes of the land shall mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
then shall that sign, the son of man in the clouds of heaven, appear: and all the tribes of the land shall mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. and he shall send his messengers, who with the shrill sound of a trumpet, shall gather together his select from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other.
and he shall send his messengers, who with the shrill sound of a trumpet, shall gather together his select from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other.
but this I tell you, I shall not drink any more wine with you from this time forth to the day, when I shall drink with you, of the spiritual wine, in my father's kingdom.
but this I tell you, I shall not drink any more wine with you from this time forth to the day, when I shall drink with you, of the spiritual wine, in my father's kingdom.
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon, and Andrew his brother, casting their net into the sea:
Again, he said, the state of the gospel is like that of the grain, which a man sows in his land: however he takes his repose by night, or is employ'd by day, the grain shoots up and grows without his inspection. read more. for the earth spontaneously produces, first the blade, then the ear, after that the grain of corn in the ear. but as soon as the fruit is ripe, the sickle is applied, because the harvest is come.
but it shall not be so among young you: on the contrary, whoever would be great among you, he must be your servant; and whoever would be the chief, he must be the slave of all the rest.
but this I tell you, I will never more drink of this fruit of the vine, from this time forth to that day, when I shall drink with you of the spiritual wine in the kingdom of God.
Then Zacharias his father, inspired by the holy spirit, vented his divine enthusiasm in these words. "blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he hath regarded and wrought a deliverance for his people: read more. he hath rais'd up a powerful saviour for us, in the family of his servant David, according to the antient promise he made by the mouth of the holy prophets, to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us: to show regard to our forefathers, in performing his holy covenant, the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour, that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security, in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days. and you, dear babe, you shall be the prophet of the most high: for you shall go before the Lord, in order to prepare his way, by acquainting his people how they may be saved by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun has visited us from on high, to enlighten those, who are in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to direct our steps into the ways of peace."
At that time there dwelt at Jerusalem one Simeon, an honest, religious man, one who expected the appearance of the Messiah, and was endued with the spirit of prophecy. to him it was revealed by the holy spirit, that he should not die till he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. read more. by the divine direction he came into the temple, just as the parents of Jesus were bringing in the child to perform what the law required in his behalf. then he took him up in his arms, and returned thanks to God in these words, "now, Lord, thou wilt grant thy servant a happy death, according to thy promise. for mine eyes have beheld the saviour, whom thou hast provided for all mankind, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." Joseph and the mother of Jesus were surprized to hear such things pronounc'd concerning him. then Simeon gave them his benediction, and said to Mary his mother, "the child you now see, shall occasion many in Israel to fall and rise again; he will be the Object of calumny, which like a dart will pierce even thro' your own soul, that thereby the sincerity of many may be revealed." There was likewise one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had liv'd in a married state but seven years ever since she was a virgin: being then a widow of about fourscore and four years old: she was assiduously in the temple, night and day religiously employ'd in fastings and prayers: and happening to come in just at the same time, she likewise express'd her thanks to the lord, and spoke of Jesus to all those, who expected deliverance in Jerusalem.
but when you are invited, go place your self last; that he, who invited you, when he comes, may say to you, friend, go up higher: and that will do you honour before all the company at table. for he that exalteth himself, shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. read more. Then he said to the Pharisee, that had invited him, when you give a dinner, or a supper, don't call your friends, or your brethren, or kinsmen, or wealthy neighbours; lest they invite you again, and make you a requital. but when you make a feast call the poor, and maimed, the lame and blind: and you shall be happy in not receiving a requital: for you shall be recompenc'd at the resurrection of the just. One of the company hearing that, said to him, happy is he that shall be entertain'd in the kingdom of God. upon which Jesus said, a certain man made a great entertainment; where many were invited. at supper-time he sent his servant to tell the guests to come, because every thing was ready. but they were all of a mind in making some excuse: the first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, which I must needs go and see: therefore pray excuse me. another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, which I am going to prove: I beg you to excuse me. another said, I have married a wife: 'tis therefore impossible for me to come. so the servant return'd, and related the whole matter to his master, who in resentment said to his servant, go immediately into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring hither the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind. at length the servant said, sir, your orders have been executed, and still there is room. the master reply'd, go then to the high-ways and by-paths, and compel them to come in, that my house may be full. for I tell you that not one of those, who were invited, shall taste of my supper.
Upon the Pharisees asking him, when the kingdom of God should come, he answer'd them, the kingdom of God is not usher'd in with pomp and exclamations,
Upon the Pharisees asking him, when the kingdom of God should come, he answer'd them, the kingdom of God is not usher'd in with pomp and exclamations,
and after supper he likewise gave the cup, saying, this cup is the new testament sealed by my blood, which is shed for you.
the law indeed was delivered by Moses, but grace and truth was the dispensation of Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered him, I declare unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Jesus answered, I tell thee, except a man be renewed by the spiritual baptism, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
and he said to them, ye are from beneath, I am from above: ye are of this world, I am not of this world.
and the truth shall make you free.
Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man can come to the father, but by me.
sanctify them by the truth: thy word is truth.
Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, I should have had my guards to prevent my falling into the hands of the Jews: whereas my kingdom is of another nature.
Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, I should have had my guards to prevent my falling into the hands of the Jews: whereas my kingdom is of another nature. upon this Pilate said to him, you are then a king? Jesus answered, you say right, for I am a king. to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, to persuade mankind of the truth. every one that loves truth is observant of my directions.
upon this Pilate said to him, you are then a king? Jesus answered, you say right, for I am a king. to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, to persuade mankind of the truth. every one that loves truth is observant of my directions.
but must reside in heaven, till the time of the restitution of all things, of which God has spoken from the beginning by the mouth of his holy prophets.
for the gospel dispensation does not consist in meats and drinks, but in piety and peace, and spiritual joy.
the God of peace will soon bruise Satan under your feet. the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Know you not that the unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God? be not deceived: neither the licentious, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor the brutal, nor thieves, nor misers, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor raparees, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
for he must reign, "till God has cast all his enemies under his feet."
For I know, that if my body, which is but a tent for my sojourning upon earth, were dissolved, I have what is not fram'd by human art, but by the divine architect, a mansion eternal in the heavens. while I am thus incas'd, I groan with desire to have that celestial vehicle superinduc'd: read more. tho' should I be divested of this body, I shall not even then be destitute of one. we that are in this tabernacle do groan under the burden of it: not that we desire to be divested of it, but we desire to have our celestial body, that this mortal state may vanish into immortality. now he that hath prepared us for this very state, is God, who hath given us the spirit as a pledge of it. therefore being always certainly assur'd that whilst I sojourn in this body, I am absent from the Lord, (for I regulate my conduct by my future expectations, not by visible enjoyments: ) in this assurance, I say, I think it best to be quit of this body, and be present with the Lord. wherefore I studiously endeavour, whether staying in it, or departing out of it, to be acceptable to him. for we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ; that every one may receive the retribution, according as his actions in the body were either good or evil.
drunkenness, revellings, and such like, concerning which I forewarn you now, as heretofore I have done, that they who practise such vices, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
and this is the pledge of our inheritance, being given for the deliverance of his peculiar people, to the display of his glory.
for this you know, that no licentious or dissolute person, no lewd libertine, that is, an idolater, hath any part in the kingdom of Christ, and of God.
giving thanks to the father, who has qualified you to share in that light he affords to his people: who has deliver'd you from the state of darkness, and has translated you into the kingdom of his beloved son.
for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we must believe that God by Jesus will raise the dead, and assemble them with him. for one thing I have in charge to tell you from the Lord, that we, who shall be found still alive at the coming of the Lord, shall not get the advance of those that are dead: read more. for the Lord himself will descend from heaven, and by the voice of the archangel, with the trumpet of God, resound the summons: they who died christians shall rise first: then we, who shall be still alive, shall be convey'd together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall ever be with the Lord. therefore comfort one another with this information.
Now we conjure you, brethren, that with respect to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being assembled with him, you would not by any pretended revelation, by any discourse or epistle ascrib'd to us, be immediately perplex'd in your minds, or under any concern for the approach of the day of the Lord. read more. don't be led into any mistake, because the previous rebellion does not yet appear, nor the man of sin throw off the disguise, that offspring of perdition: that adversary that exalts it self above the divine authority of majesty: that is seated in the temple of God, pretending to be it self divine. don't you remember, I told you this, when I was with you? and you know what hinders his throwing off the disguise at a time which he enjoys for the present. for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away: and then the lawless will be discover'd, whom the Lord will extirpate by the spirit of his mouth, and at his glorious advent, will intirely abolish him, who by the instigation of satan will make his parade with various arts, with fallacious signs and prodigies, and with all the vile methods of imposture, to the ruin of those, who are averse to the truth, by which they might be saved. wherefore God will suffer a spirit of delusion to work them into the belief of a lye: to the condemnation of all those, who instead of embracing the gospel, had pleasure in iniquity.
and the Lord will deliver me from every malicious design, and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. to him be glory to endless ages. amen.
now by stiling the second a new alliance, he has antiquated the first. but to be antiquated and obsolete is next to being abolished.
now by stiling the second a new alliance, he has antiquated the first. but to be antiquated and obsolete is next to being abolished.
but you are come to mount Sion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable congress of angels, to the general assembly, the church of the first-born who are enroll'd in heaven, to God the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, read more. to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the aspersion of that blood which cries for pardon, and not for vengeance as that of Abel.
since then we are entring into a kingdom which cannot be changed, let us maintain the divine favour, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and fear.
my dear children, let not our love be only in the language of our lips, but in the real effects of the heart. Hereby we shall know that we are true professors, and set our consciences securely at rest.
We know that the son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding to know him that is true: and we are with him that is true, by his son Jesus Christ. "he is the true God, who is the author of eternal life."