Lesson 1
"Understanding The Kingdom of God According to Scripture (An Introduction)"
The word Kingdom according to scripture is capable of three (3) different meanings.
1. The realm over which a monarch reigns.
A monarch is a male King who rules over a territory. The territory of God is heaven and earth. From heaven God rules.
Psalm 103:19
The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
Psalm 47:2, 8
How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
We see by these scriptures that the Lord who is also Supreme King has established His thrown in heaven and His kingdom rules over all. So both heaven and earth are the realm in which God rules. An aspect of the rule of God is that when men in the earth disobey God He from heaven has the right to judge them.
This ruler-ship that God has is a ruler-ship over a people, impacting them with His will, influencing them that as they yield, repent and turn to Him they would always be turning to God away from send always to the good and always for the better.
God exercises His ruler-ship by His Word, His Holy Spirit and His power. Those who submit to the rule of God from heaven, allowing the truth of God's word to impact them by the Spirit of God are those who having obeyed God, being led of His Spirit, they are the sons of God and all of creation is awaiting their maturity.
People who seek to settle matters with or by their emotions instead of by the Word of God will never have the peace that comes from allowing God's Word which is His rule to be final authority in their life.
God is Supreme King and Jesus is the Son of God and also King of kings and Lord of lords in the earth.
This same Jesus did not bring us a religion but instead brought to us the restoration of God's governing rule on the earth. God broke four hundred (400) years of silence commonly referred to as the dark ages with the words of John the Baptist and then Jesus both saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand (has arrived).
Matthew 3:2
John the Baptist, "Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 4:17
Jesus said "Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Mark 1:14-15
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
So you see God pierced the darkness in an exercise of His ruler-ship with a prophetic word from His prophet-priest John the Baptist and then later through Jesus His Son, the earth King himself.
The evidence of God's ruler-ship then, now and always is the Word of God, as God used the words of Jesus to invade the darkness of man and manifest His rule by having Jesus cast out devils, heal the sick and preach the good news that the Kingdom had come.
Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 9:35
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
Jesus was affirming Himself as King and Lord over all in a demonstration of His Father's power to bring all who would believe, under His sovereign will, dominion and authority for their good and for their betterment in every way.
Let's look at the 2nd definition of the word Kingdom on tomorrow.
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