The Kingdom Series - “Within and About Us”

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The Kingdom Series - “Within and About Us”

“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

By David White     

     When Jesus came to the earth the first time most were looking for a Messiah who with force, would rule as a king over every other earthly king and kingdom.  

     Jesus did indeed come to set up His kingdom, but it did not come with observation, which means it would not be observed with the natural eye, at least not initially. His kingdom was established first within the hearts of those of whom it was revealed and believed in Him as the Son of God. His kingdom would come within, and then would come about, wherever His followers would go.     

     For over two thousand years and out of obedience, believers have prayed as Jesus taught His disciples when He said, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ (Matt 6:9-10). Therefore, we are convinced it is the will of God that His Kingdom, (His rule and authority) come to every nation, city, family and individual on the face of the earth. However the question remains, how will this come to pass?

     The kingdom of God is already present within the hearts of every believer and follower of Jesus. Now, that which is within us must get out of us and into the world in which we live. When this happens, His kingdom will come with observation because of the multitude of lives that are changed by the power of that kingdom which is greater than any other king or kingdom.

     In the Psalms we find a key to understanding how the Lord’s Kingdom, His rule, will come on earth as it is in heaven.

     The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power” (Ps 110:1-3).

     These verses confirm that the Lord Himself will rule in the midst of His enemies. He already does! Jesus did not come to get along with or compromise with darkness and demons but to destroy them. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” I Jn 3:8.  

    However just as the Father sent His Son, so He has sent us. Our part is to volunteer and go. Oh and by the way, it does not matter how dark and how big the demons are where we go. It will always be true that greater is He who is in us, than he or whatever is in this world.

     When God’s people volunteer in the day of His power, they willingly, freely and spontaneously are bringing the Lord’s kingdom, which is within them, about them into a world desperate for His rule and authority. As a result, the enemies of the Lord are made His footstool.

     The Kingdom of God will come on the earth as it is in heaven when Jesus the King returns. But in the meantime, His kingdom will also come when we who know and follow the Lord let what God has brought within us, out of us and into our world. 

     The Kingdom is within us, and it is to come about us, everywhere we go. May His volunteers rise up in every nation and neighborhood on earth! 

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