“The kingdom”
What does that mean? It’s a phrase used many times in the Gospels. If we’re going to be serious students of the Apostolic Writings, we need to do our homework and understand what the Master was talking about when we hit phrases that we think we understand, as well as phrases that make absolutely no sense at all.
As one example, the message that Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptizer) began proclaiming and that Yeshua also proclaimed as the gospel message is the same message He sent His disciples to preach. This is something that we need to take a good look at in order to understand and having a solid understanding of “the kingdom” is critical.
Matthew 3:2 And saying, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 From that time Yeshua began to preach, and to say, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
“Kingdom”
The concept of “kingdom” is perhaps the most important spiritual concept in the [Apostolic Writings]. In English or Greek, “kingdom” is never verbal. It is something static, something to do with territory. But, in Hebrew, “kingdom” is active, it is action. It is G-d ruling in the lives of men. Those who are ruled by G-d are in the Kingdom of G-d.
“Kingdom” is also the demonstration of G-d’s rule through miracles, signes, and wonders. Wherever the power of G-d is deomnstrated, there is His “Kingdom”.
Jesus also used “kingdom” to refer to those who would follow him, the members of his movement. His disciples were now to literally be the Kingdom of G-d by demonstrating his presence and power in their lives.
from: Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus, by Bivin and Blizzard, page 64
In Hebrew, kingdom isn’t a territory like it is in our minds today. It’s not the area within the borders of a particular place. When we think of a kingdom we tend to think of Persia, Babylon or maybe even the tales of King Arthur and his kingdom. When we think of the kingdom of Heaven we tend to think of a place, “a place somewhere beyond the sky”. We think of pearly gates, streets of gold and harps, clouds and angel wings. Is this what Yeshua was talking about, is this what His hearers were thinking of when He spoke? Continue Reading »
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