"Since We Are Receiving A Kingdom"
YOUR FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM
These are the words of a first-century Bible teacher. When he wrote to the Hebrew Believers, it's obvious that both he and they understood this what he was talking about. They were receiving a kingdom (as well as looking forward to their full kingdom inheritance, 1 Peter 1'4). It would seem that he's referring to living in the Kingdom of the Father.
So he's referring to it as being integrated, something understood and experienced. The word "since" emphasises that. And they know what kingdom is. If that's the case then, shouldn't born again Believers of the Body of Christ know what kingdom means in the same way as they did?
Significantly, the context of his words has to do with shaking. Many Believers around the world agree that things are being shaken today. Society's accepted moral understandings have or are being discarded, replaced or disregarded. "Progressive" things are being introduced, or foisted on, Saints and sinners alike. Confusion is common. There can be no doubt that shaking is going on. But where is God in it all? Could our heavenly Father be doing something in it? What could be His purpose?
As he does throughout his letter, the writer looks back into Israel's past and then compares or contrasts it to these Believers' situation in their day. He refers to things being shaken in the past and then turns their thoughts to the present, starting with a warning and ending with an exhortation. He says:
"See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.'
Now this, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Hebrews 12'25-29).
One thing that can be said with certainty about the shaking is that He is doing it for "the removal of those things that are being shaken". The purpose being, "that the things which cannot be shaken may remain". As in other historic times, God's Word is deeply involved.
It's apparent that much of what is being shaken today involves people, and their organisations, who profess to be Christian or Christian-based. However, there are unbelievers who being affected also because of their strong sense of good and evil.
Most of the professing Christian denominations have been becoming more and more un-Christ-like and accepting of false teachings. God is shaking these institutions with challenges that test their faithfulness to His Word. The writer says, therefore ...
"... since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."
If this exhortation was said to Believers today how would it be understood by them? After all, this is something that is in operation. Would they know what he's talking about? What is the kingdom?
Paul has supplied a definition and an understanding of the kingdom the writer is refering to. He states it clearly at the conclusion of his response to some challenging ideas that that he had heard about (Romans 14'1-18). And Jesus Himself is the example of it:
"... the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men".
Remember? The “... Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many,” Matthew 20'27-28. And there's encouragement:
"... whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ," Colossians 3'23-24.
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While Saints demonstrate outwardly the life and order of God's Kingdom, the source is spiritual because the Kingdom of God is in the Holy Spirit.
Earlier in his letter to Romans he said: "... you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His," Romans 8'9. There is no doubt when we have received Christ.
WHAT IS A KINGDOM?
Obviously, a kingdom is the rule of a king over people. So, in the area of his rule what he says goes. Jesus spoke about it early in His kingdom ministry. He told His listeners on the mountain to say their heavenly Father: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," Matthew 6'10. "A kingdom", as the writer to the Hebrew Believers said, is the Father's will being done in the daily conduct of every Believer and Body of Believers. It can be seen happening in the scriptures of Acts 1'1 to Revelation 3'22.
It's the will of our heavenly Father that His Children be receiving and living His Kingdom daily because Jesus said:
“... this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24'14).
It will be preached, and it will be a witness of the Father and the Son in the daily lives of His Called-Out Ones, the Body of Christ.
Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden," Matthew 5'14. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light," Ephesians 5'8.
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How do Believers get to the place of receiving the Kingdom? If you have read the previous articles then you may have entered the Kingdom after receiving the understandings presented in them. In any case, go on to Your Kingdom Foundation and receive and follow through on the understandings presesnted in those articles. When you have then you'll be in the place to receive the Kingdom.
This is the focus of all the articles in this Kingdom Inheritance Today - Kingdom of God website.
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