The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Again to get the full impact of what this next targeted passage reveals I have to go back into the chapter before our target passage. We also have to keep in mind that Paul is now addressing more spiritually advanced people than say those of the Corinthians and even the Galatians. In an effort to keep all things in a proper perceptive I would also reveal this, that both the book of Hebrews and Romans are foundational teachings of the deeper things that Jesus told to even His disciples, that they were not yet prepared to receive (John 16:12-16). Saul of Tarsus is alluded to by Jesus when He spoke of the gate keeper, porter or steward of the corral in Mark 13:34 and John 10:3 (with related verses in Matthew 16:19 and Revelation 3:7). The corral is metaphoric language for the Law of Moses, just as its being references as a tutor is, as God (in the person of Yehovah) laid down and the Hebrew leadership under their Priest's from that point on contaminated by addition to it of some 613 amendments and a change in its language from Hebrew to Aromatic.

Ephesians 4:17-24, 25-5:2, 3-5, 6-14, 16-21 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ; If so be that you have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Christ Jesus: That you put off concerning the former conversation (way of life) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; That you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Therefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another (we have a common origin). Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption (a span of time that is required for the Holy Spirit to train, tutor and teach us of that which is now the active part of our further need for enter into His Salvation, wherein He works His work within us. The perfection of Christ's likeness restored in man, as Adam and woman held in Genesis 2.). Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. Be therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also loves us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. (we are to be Living sacrifices, as the cross's impression is reflected from our heart Romans 12:1-5)

But (the revealing of the revelation of mans Religion in his fallen state) fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Here is another one of those warnings that go unheeded because of the corruption of mans Religion, which causes our blindness.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience (those who willfully remain in and under Religions hold and influence, especially after hearing the Truth). Be not therefore partakers with them (2Corinthians 6:14-7:1*). For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of Light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness(*), but rather reprove (reprehend severely, to find fault with) them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light: for whatever does make manifest is Light. Therefore He said, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead (the normal state of man's being separated from God), and Christ shall give you Light (found in John's synoptic gospel chapter 1 and Genesis 1). *In 2Corinthians 6:14-7:1 we find our being calling out from among those who are the unfruitful and walk and do the works of darkness, this being mans religion. Over my short life time I have experienced the deception which keeps us blind to just how great the darkness of mans religion is. Where all things are done in the name of the lord of self will under the guise of Christ's church and name, with a claim to holiness and the power of the holy spirit when there is NO Truth, Grace or Love in it. This was written about by Watchman Nee in a book titled “The Latent Power of the Soul” and I must admit that I did not fully understand it on my first read through.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore be not unwise, but understanding what the Will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine (the blood of ignorant men), wherein is excess (the adrenalin rush given by an evil thought or action); but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father through the name of our Lord Christ Jesus; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.       

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Galatians 5:2-6, 7-12, 13-15, 16-24, 25-26 Behold, I Paul say to you, that if you be circumcised (Galatians 2:3-5; this is, and was the standard for all of ancient Israel, as a means of distinguishing a Hebrew from a Gentile. And because God knew mans lack of proper hygiene, until after the appointed time of Jesus' appearance as Christ for of humanity.), Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law (the Law of Moses). Christ is become of no effect to you, whoever of you are (seeking to be) justified by the law; you are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love. 
Here Paul tells us that for Faith to work it requires His Love to be residing within us as a law, and God's intended righteousness is connected to this law (as seen in Romans 5:21, 9:30, 1Corinthians 1:30, Philippians 3:9 (8-12), which we find in Daniel 9:24 and Jeremiah 31:31-37.)

You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion comes not of Him that called you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he be. And I, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another.
Here Paul is warning us, this warning is not often heard or heeded by those caught in and by mans contrived Religion, as a house built on sand, divided and set apart against itself. As those who take great liberties, bite and devour one another and thereby consume one another. But before he does this he tells us that he no longer preaches circumcision as a stand of practice, because the cross has a way of doing what the Law could not accomplish by practice of man.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit (God's rule and God's own Love), and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Paul here is explaining that Religion is but one of mans own lusts). For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would (this is based on the same argument as recorded by him in Romans 7:7-14, 8:5-8, which has caused much to do by those without Christ). But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you again, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with it's many affections and lusts (natural man loves or craves the darkness of Religion as it is a hindering force that keeps man from God's Light, Truth and wisdom found in Christ).

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.     

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Before I get into the next passages in which we find the kingdom of God mentioned I must for the sake of continuity start in the preceding chapter to get to full flow of meaning, for our understanding of all things now being spiritual, no longer hanging on or hinged to the earthy as the men of Religion teach and proclaim. Because all Natural man wants to command, decree and declare to bring about the earthy things of mans desires. Which includes and is not limited to all things natural and of the material world which we have learned are temporary and in a perpetual state of decay and corruption. To this Jesus said that we are to seek first God's righteousness which exceeds that of the Religious men of Israel and then the kingdom rule of heaven and of God. To accomplish this requires our learning of Him as stated in Matthew 11:25-30. I know that I have stated this before but to learn Christ is a progressive revelation from Genesis through the end of Revelation, just as my postings in these two blogs are progressive, where each builds upon the one before it. I am not a great orator nor am I a good English compositional kind of person and therefore my arrangement of sentences and thoughts maybe lacking correctness neither am I a good speller of our words, for this I wish your pardon. I in my ignorance seek to be spiritual in all things because of the change of my own nature by way of death to the natural man and indeed the perpetual death to my flesh and mind keeping them under to the surrender of them to God daily and His divine kingdom rule at all times.

Galatians 4:1-7, 8-11, 12-20, 21-5:1 I say, the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors (this is the Law of Moses and the Prophets) until the time appointed of the father (here again we find both John the Baptist and Jesus' work in their being called out from the worldly elements). Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world (the world's Religion under the lordship of Satan predating mans appearance): But when the fullness of the time was come (when both John the Baptist and Jesus came on the stage of God's plan), God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons (this Gospel is what Paul teaches by continuing the revelation of the kingdom of heaven and God revealed [brought about] in Christ). And because we are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore (keep in mind that this word is interchangeable with, Therefore) you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Have you taken note that the word law here is not capitalized signifying the Jewish Law 's of commandments given by Moses? Why? Because this law is not of that Law but is purely spiritual in that is is of Love and Faith restored to mans heart in the character and ontological essence of Christ's own Spirit in Elohim the Holy Spirit. Who makes us heirs of God as we shall see shortly.

Howbeit then, when you knew not God, you did service to them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereto you desire again to be in bondage (here Paul is revealing the bondage of mans Religion, the false understanding of God's secrets which are contained in both John the Baptist's and Jesus' warning which I will reveal later)? You observe days, and months, and times, and years.

I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain. I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as you are: you have not injured me at all. You know how through the infirmity of the flesh I preached this gospel to you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh you despised me not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness you speak of? for I bear you record, that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

They zealously affect you, but not (commendably) well; yes, they would exclude you, that you might affect (seek) them. But it is good to be zealously (eagerly) affected (sought) always in a good thing (commendable manor), and not only when I am present with you. My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you (Philippians 1:6, 10, 2:16, 2Peter 1:19, 1John 4:2-3) I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt (perplexed about) of you. 

Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman. But he of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the free-woman by promise (these are two opposing evils, one of religion and the other of God's kingdom). Which things are an allegory* (similitude, or parable): for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children (in religious performance). But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all (in a personal relationship restored within us which is God's doing by promise). For it is written, Rejoice, you barren that bear not; break forth and cry, you that travail not: for the desolate has many more children than she which has an husband (the secret hidden in the Passover as covenant entry). Now we, are as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what say the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son (Religion): for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman. So then, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Religion with it's many ordinances, customs, traditions and rituals of its own making).

*Webster's 1828 Dictionary reveals this about the word allegory: A figurative sentence or discourse, in which the principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. The principal subject is thus kept out of view, and we are left to collect the intentions of the writer or speaker, by the resemblance of the secondary to the primary subject. Allegory is in words that hieroglyphics are in painting. We have a fine example of an allegory in the eightieth Psalm, in which God's chosen people are represented by a vineyard. The distinction in scripture between a parable and an allegory, is said to be that a parable is a supposed history, and an allegory, a figurative description of real facts. An allegory is called a continued metaphor.  

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Paul, by way of revelation, which is the bases for God's Family coming into His planed existence and by the way this was His plan all along as revealed in Genesis 1. Now will begin through Paul after Jesus supernatural death, resurrection, ascension and return, as the Holy Spirit. Begin reawakening mans seed of His Christ, which man has embedded within his soul. This seed is so small that our greatest microscopes and all medical science has never been able to find it as the source of life.

1Corinthians 15:45-49, 50-57, 58 As it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul (after his rebellion); the last Adam a quickening (to restore, arouse, invigorate alive, Life giving) spirit. Howbeit that the spiritual was not first, but that which is natural (God ie...Yehovah, that is to say Jesus came as a common man natural and then as the Life giving Spirit, as promised Adam); and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven (spiritual). As is the earthy, so are they also that are earthy: and as the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly (spiritual). As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (Romans 8:29)

This I say, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (why is this so?); neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible (earthly body) must put on incorruption (spiritual), and this mortal put on immortality (this immortality is known as Salvation which is acquired in God's Way and has nothing to do with mans Religion). So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? For the sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law (not to be confused with the Law of Moses and the ten commandments which many do because of lack of knowledge of Christ, and the mysteries reveal to those who are in Him and He in them). Thanks to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord, Christ Jesus. Therefore, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Not to add to mans confusion but this passage beginning with, “in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” has taken place. When and how, by Jesus' own ascension when He carried those in captivity into the highest heaven, which took place in the morning twilight, before 6 AM of resurrection morning. He was the last trump and the dead which consists of all of natural mankind who remain unredeemed by way of personal choice and by that choice are the corrupted because of rebellion to change because they love sin and darkness more than Eternal Life (Colossians 1; Luke 2, Acts 10:30, Romans 5:1, 2Corinthians 5, Ephesians 2, Hebrews 13 and 1John4). For since the day of God's return as the Holy Spirit He has been at work bring about the change within those who become willing, those of the parable of the sower who hear and then do as they have heard to receive Him.

Paul in the last verse says to be abounding in the work of the Lord and that this labor of love is not in vain or good for nothing. I submit this to you that this work of love is not being an evangelist, missionary or any such thing because of the word “steadfast” for it has to do with what Psalm 55 states, which is this in verse 22: “Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain you: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” As He restores within us His Salvation we are not to be moved. To this we have the following connected references: Psalm 112:6; Colossians 1:23, 2:5, 1Thessalonians 3:3, Hebrews 3:14, and 2Peter 3:17-18 and keep in mind that these are but in a portion which simple means that we need to look at the whole of there continent.   

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

He that is joined to the Lord is One spirit with Him Who is Spirit and then it goes on to say. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost in you, and you are NOT your own. For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. This is the same meaning as this passage taken from Genesis 2 where we find: “the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. Adam said, This now is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Keep in mind that Jesus said this as recorded by John: I say, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said, You must be born again. The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” and then while still in John's synoptic gospel we have this also: “for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe Me through their word; That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are One: I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in One; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which You have given Me: for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” 

From here we can pull in what the Apostle Paul reveals in Ephesians 4 and 5 and Philippians 2 which are these statements: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is One Body, and One Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, One faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Then Paul reveals this while dealing with the marriage of woman and man that becomes a unite of one. “Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father through the name of our Lord Christ Jesus; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear (reverse) of God. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church: and He is the savior of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject to Christ, so the wives to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the Church: For we are members of His Body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.” 

From here we can move to Philippians where we have this: “If therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill my joy, that you be like minded, having the same love, of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (though for a short time): And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and in earth, and under the earth; That every tongue should confess that Christ Jesus, is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 



Then in 1Corinthians 12 we find this statement dealing with the Body of Christ: “For by One Spirit are we all baptized into One Body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and have been all made to drink into One Spirit. For the body (human body) is not one member, but many.” This is true you see when we understand the function of mans Religion with its many splintered denominations, cults, organizations and the like are a hose of body divided. This body divided sands on sand and not the sure foundation of the revelation of Christ.

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Romans 14:8-9, 10-12, 13-23 For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived (is the Eternal who Lives again), that He might be Lord both of the dead (those who do not believe Him) and living (those who receive Him into themselves and begin to Live as He Lives now).

But why do you judge your brother? or why do you set at naught your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
(Whether we choose Life and this is His Eternal Life, by trusting Him as He, Jesus trusted the Father. Who is Faithful to His promise as revealed through Jesus' resurrection or NOT. We will all be judged by Him through our own actions and words while we lived within the flesh.)

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in a brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: but to him that esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if your brother be grieved (hurt) with your meat, now walk you not with charitably (love). Destroy not him with your meat (simply food of any kind), for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serves (are in subjection to) Christ are acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroys not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby your brother (being weaker in knowledge) stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. Have you faith? have it to yourself (your own conviction) before God. Happy (his conscience is clear) he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows. And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not in faith: for whatever is not of faith is sin. 
(Paul has been teaching the law of Faith and Love, as the greatest of all laws. Because it pleases God, when we learn how to please Him above ourselves and all others. We have in effect become doers of His Will and Word not to leave out mentioning His Law which is composed of Love and Faith which works through His Love when restored within our heart. Our heart and soul being it original set of authority as in Genesis 2 and by all accounts not known until lost in Genesis3. For in Genesis 3 man was separated from God and His law of Love.)

1Corinthians 4:14-21 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I beseech you, be followers of me. For this cause have I sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in (resurrection) power. What will you desire? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and the spirit of meekness?

(For many years this passage eluded my understanding and needless to say caused me great frustration, as I am sure that it also has many of you, also. One such frustration is the concept that this is about the power which Jesus as the Son of God demonstrated as proof of Who He was by the many sings and wonders He did, as the Hebrew demand for assurance of proof from their Messiah. Mainly because of all the signs given them over the years until the time of the Maccabees's when for five hundred years God did not speak or have a prophet among them. The power that Paul is speaking of here is the resurrection power of the Spirit of Christ or the Holy Spirit's indwelling Life within us, as the greatest Love gift of the Father bestowed to and in us. Which will move us to faith when we have acquires the knowledge of Christ by passage through the mysteries of Christ.)

1Corinthians 6:9-11, 12-20 Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord, Christ Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

(The thing about this passage is that it reveals man's natural fallen state and that of mans own Religion as seen through God's eyes after the words, “be not deceived.” This also runs with Romans 1:18 through 32 where God is speaking through Paul and reveals His view of both the immoral and amoral man, and 2:17 through 3:20 where God reveals how He sees mans Religion and those who are Religious. Then Paul picks up with our being now sanctified and justified by having passed through the similitude of death to sin and the weakening of the man of our flesh by the operation of the Cross. This is also revealed by Romans 3:19 through 5:5 where God's righteousness and justification of us is spoken of, as well as the results of this action.)

All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats (food) for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication (the spiritual idolatry of Religion), but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body (Genesis 2:7, 22, 23). God has both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Do you not know that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of an harlot (wanton, as seen in Revelation which begins in 14 and runs through 19)? God forbid. What? Do you not know that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, says He, shall be one flesh. He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. Flee Religion which is fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.          

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Act 20:17-24, 25-35 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said to them, You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: how I kept back nothing that was profitable, for you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord, Christ Jesus. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Christ Jesus, to testify His Gospel, the Grace of God.

Behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record (account) this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves (will) enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, I commend you to God, and to the word of His Grace (this is Christ), which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord, Christ Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 28:15-16, 17-22, 23-29, 30-31 When the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

It came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said to them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spoke against me, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation offense. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said to him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning you, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spoke any harm of you. But we desire to hear from you what you think: as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

When they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Christ Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet to our fathers, saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came to him, preaching (proclaiming) the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord, Christ Jesus, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.    

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

Form here I want to go into the further revelation of Christ and this kingdom now in operation within those who are become receptive ones, those who believe Him and are now One with God through Christ. This revelation is what was spoken of as a mystery hid in God but is revealed in obscure language throughout the OT and even into the NT. I will include a study of these secret things as a separate study after I finish the kingdom of God as referenced in the bulk of the NT. I will also do a section on the warnings revealed in portions of this study, in full at the end as a close.

Acts 1:1-5 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus (this whole letter is addressed to those who believe Him because that is what this name of “Theophilus” means), of all that Jesus began both to do and taught, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost has given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen: To whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized* with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. *this baptism is not with water but is a whole immersion both outwardly and inwardly at the same time. We become clothed in Him and He indwells us as Jesus' prayer of John 17 asks, which is also the restoration of (a regenesis, new birth of all things) man to being a Genesis 2:7 creature, a new in Christ and Christ's ontological essence being restored within me, as stated by Paul in Galatians 2:20.

Act 8:4-8, 9-13 Therefore they that were scattered abroad (because of the Religionists persecution of the assembly under Saul's watch) went every where preaching the word. For this reason Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed, and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. 

There was a certain man, called Simon, which before time in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man has the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip's preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Christ Jesus, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Our next passages follow the stoning of Stphen will be Saul of Tarsus. At this time he is called Paul, to signify his conversion from being a great Pharisee and Jewish elder; to being the number one man in God's revival plan of the New kingdom which is inclusive of the promised New Covenant.

Acts 14:21-23, 24-28 When they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. When they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

After they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And then sailed to Antioch, from where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled (accomplished). And when they were come, and had gathered the church (assembly) together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles. There they abode a long time with the disciples.

Act 19:1-7, 8-10 It came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Then Paul asked them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said, to John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily (truly) baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord, Christ Jesus. When Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Ghost (the Godhead) came into them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.

He went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers (some) were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of the Way, before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. This continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, Christ Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.