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2006-06-07 21:21:59 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

15 answers

SENSE OF THE WORDS "KINGDOM OF GOD"

1. Eschatological Sense:

1 Cor 6.9-10:"The unjust... will not inherit the kingdom of God"--reach final salvation.

Gal. 5.21: "They who do such things cannot inherit the kingdom of God."

Eph 5.5:"No fornicator etc... has an inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God." COMMENT:Seems to identify kingdom of God and of Christ- and definitely means final salvation.

Mt 5.10:"Blessed are they who suffer persecution for the sake of
justice, the kingdom of God is theirs." Church has always understood this to refer to final salvation- as in martyrs.

2. Church in this world:

Mt 21.43:"the kingdom... will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will yield a rich harvest." COMMENT:Cannot mean reign- for all are subject to that. It means favored status as People of God. It does not mean that God's call to be such is cancelled- but that they are at present out of the People of God- cf. Romans 11.

Mt. 13.47-50 (Parable of the net):The kingdom means the present
Church- and adds that at the end, the wicked will be thrown out of
the Church or kingdom, then, the eschatological kingdom. If it meant reign- there would be wicked persons included, for they do not subject selves to the reign of God.

Mt. 25.1-13 (parable of wise and foolish virgins). The virgins are
waiting in the present Church for return of Christ. So it refers to
both present and final kingdom. If it meant reign, would include no wicked persons, for they do not subject selves to reign of God.

Mt. 13.24-30 (parable of weeds in the wheat). Cannot mean reign, for reasons given for Mt. 12.47-40 and Mt 25.1-13. It refers to the Church in this world, and adds on the final harvest, the final
judgment.

Mt. 13.31 (mustard seed). Clearly means Church at present, pictures its great rapid growth.

Mt. 21.31: "The publicans and harlots are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you." = They are joining the Messianic kingdom- but since that kingdom, the Church, includes both good and wicked, this need not mean that they are morally good.

Mt. 13:41: Angels will collect all evidoers out of His kingdom - so
it cannot be reign, they never were part of His reign.

3. Unclear texts

Rom 14.17:"The kingdom of God is not food and drink." Probably means, membership in Church does not depend on food etc.
l Cor 4.20:"The kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but on power." Probably means the establishment of the Church did not depend on mere words, but on showing of God's power in miracles.

Col 1.13: "He rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son." Probably means led us into the Church.
By Father William Most
more at: http://www.ewtn.com/library/SCRIPTUR/KINGDOM.TXT

We can define the Kingdom of God as the redemptive presence of God. This redemptive (or saving) presence of God can be found in everyday personal experiences. Whenever people love one another, forgive one another, bear one another's burdens, work to build up a just and peaceful community—wherever people are of humble heart, open to their Creator and serving their neighbor—God's redemptive and liberating presence is being manifested. God's Kingdom and loving rule is in operation there. http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0980.asp

2006-06-07 21:36:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 4

The phrase "seek first God's kingdom" is from the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 6:33.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Whenever you ask a question about something in the Bible, you need to determine the context of the passage. Here, Jesus was telling the listeners that we often worry too much about what to wear, what to eat, ... all of the material needs we have. Jesus makes it a point that since God takes care of the birds and the flowers, that he will also take care of your needs.

Jesus makes this statement, essentially saying, stop "seeking" to satisfy our material needs. instead live for God's kingdom ... eternal things. Live to glorify God. Live to become Christlike. Live to make a kingdom difference in this world. And all of your needs will be taken care of.

2006-06-08 04:48:35 · answer #2 · answered by beekay36 2 · 0 0

whats it mean? it is so simple religion makes it hard and not understanding the kingdom of God is simply God's way of doing things and to seek the kingdom it means to seek God's way of doing things. think a kingdom has a king and in his domain he does things his way. read the Amplified version of Matt 6:33 it points it out clearly. KIngdom is God way of doing and being right

2006-06-08 04:25:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

In order to seek the kingdom, we should first define it. Some feel the kingdom is heaven. Others feel it is something in your heart. Still others feel it is doing God’s will. But how is the word defined? The word rendered “kingdom” in the Christian Greek Scriptures is ba·si·lei′a, meaning “a kingdom, realm, the region or country governed by a king; kingly power, authority, dominion, reign; royal dignity, the title and honour of king.” The Greek word for heaven is an entirely different word. So, what do we think of when we hear the words democracy, autocracy, monarchy, aristocracy? We think of different forms of governments, do we not? And what do we understand the Persian, Babylonian and Egyptian kingdoms to have been? Governments with kings, yes? In the scriptures, references to kingdoms are references to governments.

Now, when Jesus commanded us to seek first God’s kingdom at Matthew 6:33, was he really encouraging people to seek heavenly life? Not according to the context. In the context, he urged his listeners not to be anxious about self, but to seek something outside of self. But if the kingdom were heaven, would that not be seeking something for self? If, however, the kingdom were God’s heavenly government, that would be in perfect harmony with his words earlier at Matthew 6:10 where he taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come. We would not be seeking self but rather something more important than ourselves. Jesus is not telling us to pray for God’s heaven to come, is he? No, he’s teaching us to pray for God’s government which will usher in God’s will on earth as it takes place in heaven.

Now take a look at the prophecy of Daniel 2:36-44. There it describes the rise and fall of several kingdoms and then it prophesies that God’s kingdom will crush and put an end to these other kingdoms. Replace the word kingdom with heaven: What do we have? Several man-made “heavens” destroyed by God’s heaven? That makes no sense. But in keeping with the meaning of kingdom it does make sense because these man-made kingdoms or governments will be destroyed by God’s government with Christ as king. To seek the kingdom first, one has to understand what that kingdom is: God’s heavenly government - the expression and exercise of God’s universal sovereignty toward his creatures. To seek that kingdom first is to (1) recognize that God has the right to universal sovereignty; (2) conduct ourselves as subjects now of that righteous government; and (3) share with others the wonderful blessings that government will bring.

2006-06-08 05:24:11 · answer #4 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 0 0

It means you are presently living in a "DIFFERENT KINGDOM" the one ruled by Satan - full of pain and misery.

To seek God's kingdom means - to work out for your salvation which Christ has promised to all those who exercise faith in his ransom sacrifice, and by God's undeserved kindness over you, you may probably be resurrected in a Paradise earth which is actually the 'God's Kingdom' restored again on earth.

2006-06-08 04:32:31 · answer #5 · answered by PC man 3 · 0 0

Telling people about his Kingdom and righteousness (doing God's will)Gods Kingdom is hisl right to rule the earth and he chooses his king(Jesus Christ) to be in charge of that kingdom and rule in it. although Gods kingdom will be in and is in Heaven it will rule over the Earth!So to seek Gods kingdom is to seek to do Gods will. and it would also then mean to get to know God's will!

2006-06-08 04:42:50 · answer #6 · answered by I speak Truth 6 · 0 0

HE said to first seek the Kingdom, and the rest shall follow, i believe it is for one to seek on earth, live according to the ten commandments, the fruit of the spirit etc.
you must live in such a way hat other people see Jesus in you, and they want it too. Of course following the example of His Son, Jesus. Faith, (seeing without believing) then the rapture, eternal life will follow

2006-06-08 04:29:26 · answer #7 · answered by destiny 5 · 0 0

it means to believe in him and follow him. the more of God you get the more and closer you want to get. thats seeking Gods kingdom, you want to be part of his Home

2006-06-08 04:25:49 · answer #8 · answered by diarubie 5 · 0 0

God`s kingdom is heaven. It means we are trying to go to heaven.. To be absent from this body is to be with the Lord..

2006-06-08 04:25:00 · answer #9 · answered by jaantoo1 6 · 0 0

it means your seeking heaven in the after life

2006-06-08 04:24:37 · answer #10 · answered by chitowndub 3 · 0 0

SIMPLE!

IT MEANS, .....TO BE ALWAYS AWARE THAT GOD IS MY KING in everything I THINK of, in everything I DO AND SAY. Because of this, I am able to overcome temptations and trials that come to my life.

2006-06-08 05:06:53 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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