The Gospel of the Kingdom

The preaching of Jesus Christ and His forerunner, John the Baptist, had a common theme: calling the people to repent and accept the kingdom of God (Mt 3:1-2; Mk 1:15; Lk 4:43).  To make this message known to all, Jesus went through towns and villages, teaching in the synagogues and preaching to the crowds. Knowing the importance of His mission, the Lord Jesus reminded His disciples that the Gospel of the kingdom would be preached throughout the whole world before the end would come (Mt 24:14).  The Gospel of the kingdom of God is therefore a message for all nations.

A. The Reality

Some argue that the kingdom of God is a figment of the imagination or a myth which cannot be authenticated but some justification of the reality of this "kingdom" follows:

1.      Testimony of the Bible

Although the kingdom of God is not visible to the human eye, the Bible, written through the inspiration of God's spirit, testifies to the reality of a homeland (Heb 4:9-11).

One may ask, "why should we accept the words of the Bible?" The answer is that "no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (II Pet 1:20-21).  The Bible contains the words of God, written by men through the inspiration of God (II Tim 3:16).

2.      Testimony of lie Lord Jesus

The Lord Jesus Himself spoke of the reality of the kingdom of God to Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen… No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of %Ian" (Jn 3:11-13).

3.      (3)Testimony of the Holy Spirit

Through prayers, an essential part of a Christian's life, we communicate with our Heavenly Father and receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit that testifies that both God and His kingdom do exist.

The Lord Jesus told us that "the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (Jn 14:26).

Although the human eye cannot see the kingdom of God, "God has revealed to us through the Spirit.  For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God" (I Cor 2:10).

B.The Description

The apostle Paul was caught up to the third Heaven into paradise and heard things that could not be told (II Cor 12:2-4).  Because of this deep spiritual experience, he later expressed his yearning when he said that he was hard pressed between life and death in the flesh, and concluded that his desire was to depart and be with Christ, which would be far better (Phil 1:23).

The kingdom of God is described by the apostle Peter as an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (I Pet 1:4). it is also a kingdom that cannot be shaken" (Heb 12:28) and "a better possession and an abiding one" (Heb 10:34).

In the kingdom of God "death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away" (Rev 21:4-5).  The inhabitants of this kingdom "shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them: nor any scorching heat: (Rev 7:16) and "night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord will be their light, and they shall reign forever and ever" (Rev 22:5).

We shall also be able to see God as He is (I Jn 3:2; I Tim 6:15-16), and He will change our "lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power which enables Him even to subject all things to Himself" (Phil 3:21).

C.Steps to Salvation

(1)To Believe in the Lord Jesus

Jesus said,"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me" (Jn 14:6).  He has prepared a place for us (Jn 14:3) and only through Him can we receive salvation and enter His Kingdom.

When confronted with the question "what must I do to be saved?", the apostle Paul replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:30-31).  The apostle Peter also acknowledged the Lord Jesus as the only path to salvation when he said that "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

(2)Water Baptism and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Lord Jesus told Nicodemus that unless he was born anew, he could not see the kingdom of God.  Surprised, Nicodemus asked, "How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" The Lord Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (Jn 3:1-5).  This reply is applicable for everyone today.  If we aspire to enter the kingdom of God, we must be reborn through water and the Holy Spirit.

Baptism is not an outward formalistic declaration that one's sins are forgiven but a substantive, inward spiritual regeneration whereby a person's sins are forgiven.  The kingdom of God is meant for those who have been sanctified.  It is clearly stated that "nothing unclean can enter it" (Rev 21:27).  Only those who have washed their robes have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates (Rev 22:14-15). Therefore, to be worthy to enter the kingdom of God, one must first be cleansed through water baptism (Mk 16:16).

I.       D.Conclusion Remarks

Amidst all changes, only the Almighty God and His universal message of salvation will remain unchanged.  Amidst all the problems and sorrows which confront the human race, only the wonder of God in the Holy Bible provides true and eternal answers.  As the prophet

Isaiah declared in the ancient past,

Seek the Lord while lie may be found;

Call upon Him while He is near.      (Is 55:6)

Holy Spirit Monthly.

            "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  (Heb 13.8)

Everything is changing around us.  Our moods change from day to day and our attitude towards something may change easily too.  After we promised the Lord Jesus that we will not break His commandments again, the very next moment we have broken our promises.  Silt the Lord Jesus will never change. His love, mercy and tender care for us will not change with time.  If we repent sincerely, He will forgive us. We are faithless but the merciful Lord will always be faithful.  He will never break His Word as recorded in the Holy Bible.  He will come again, as He has declared, to take us with to the heavenly kingdom.  How great is our Lord!  Let us all worship Him in spirit and in truth.