Reformed theology's eschatology is quite elegant and nuanced.
The Kingdom of God isn't abstract pie-in-the-sky.
Reformed theology holds that the Kingdom of God was brought to earth and made real at the time of Christ's Passion Upon the Cross.
Simultaneous to Christ's death, the eschaton was immanentized. The Kingdom of God was made real on this earth.
It exists absolutely, an omnipotent potential latent in all things and all people. It is real and is actualized by our obedience to God, love for God, by the kindness and love we show for others, by our forgiveness of others, and by the sincerity with which we ask God to forgive us our sins.
The Kingdom of God Is Here and Now.
Discuss.
2007-07-23 08:42:26 · 26 answers · asked by (notso)Gloriouspipecleaner 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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Hebrews 11
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.....
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As far as Gods Kingdom, it is coming!
(It HAS NOT COME 2Thessalonians Chapter 2)
If you see a Church being built on the Water all supported by the Word of God, then you already know that The Kingdom of God is within you.
You can walk in and of the Spirit (on water), yet be in the world.
Just as surely as you can walk in and of the world with snakes.
God is ALIVE. He didn't exist in the past or future.. He is ETERNAL and TIMELESS.
He is bringing his Kingdom through Jesus and the Church.
The first coming was the most important.
The second is a last minute warning to last minute believers.
Pay attention to the first.
God bless you.
2007-07-23 08:47:58 · answer #1 · answered by John W 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You're right. However, the Kingdom is within and is abstract - though NOT pie in the sky. Each of us has a unique abstract concept of the divine experience that is possible to "realize/manifest/create" in each now moment. But, the Kingdom of God is related to the resurrection of Christ rather than the death of Jesus the man. The Kingdom is made real in this earthly dimension each time one of us transcends/dies to the little learned egoic self and returns to 'being' the authentic Christ Self. Heaven expands on earth with each spiritual rebirth.
2007-07-23 15:58:18 · answer #2 · answered by MysticMaze 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God's Kingdom comes alive in the serious Christian. Jesus said if you abide in my word and my word abides in you then you are my disciples.
The beginning of Wisdom is the fear of God.
Read proverbs and it speaks of wisdom..insight...and understanding...
Yes the kingdom of God is here and now in earthen vessels and that is the Christian that puts all they are or ever will be in him.
If one learns the things of god and hold them to be the truth above all else...then he or she is automatic...love and kindness with a conscience thought of all around them will have the thoughts of their Father God..to love and be loved.
We are the God begotten the heirs to the promise. Shout for joy...let praise bells ring. Laughter is pleasant when you know that God is real and he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. 2 Corinthians chapter 4. The treasure which is spoken in this passage is the kingdom. The earthen vessels are us. It is the power of God not us...we never take credit for what God has done.
2007-07-23 15:58:30 · answer #3 · answered by God is love. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course it is and much as you describe.
Watch people attempt to limit what's already made manifest and immutable.
EDIT: For the Jesus Freaks and Bible Idolaters.
Avoid putting other people into hell:
Rev 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
We claim the power:
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
So watch yourselves:
Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Blessed Be!
2007-07-23 15:52:01 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Gnostic♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow.. Talk about your deep theological question.. I don't think I have enough caffeine in me to answer this, but, I'll give my perspective. I don't think the kingdom of god is here, but, I believe it will come. too many people focus on the Revelation and the "end time". Last time i checked, we won't know the time or the place. Its just going to happen.
2007-07-23 16:02:00 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Cellophane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Might as well be.
Well, I say that in regards to your original, simple question. The rest is just standard hocus-pocus. Why do you need some pseudo-historical catalyzing event to "immanentize the eschaton"? (Incidentally, beware of hiding behind meaningless terminology.)
I don't mind "God helps those who help themselves," either - it's at least practical, in spite of the rather childish theory implied.
2007-07-23 15:45:40 · answer #6 · answered by jonjon418 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I could choose to agree or disagree - but I, as a mere human being existing in reality and catching whatever it throws at me, am rather incapable of knowing that (I think). Humanity acknowledges the presense of logic and physics in this world - merely observing its natures. As this 'kingdom of God' is a supernatural concept, it just cannot be in this world, right? Additionally, the only purported evidence regarding information of the Beyond merely came through worldly means, it seems. However, we now know that mere superstitions have rational explanations, and humanity has a tendency to jump to conclusions.
Therefore, I politely decline any impossible claim to the nature of this 'kingdom of God.' And faith (in the religious sense) is dead. The swan song concluded when man first discovered deception..
2007-07-23 16:22:15 · answer #7 · answered by krneel128 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If the kingosm of God is already here and ruling now, why is there so much suffering and tragedy in the world? The Bible plainly states that there is a God who is ruling the earth - it's Satan, not almighty God. Read 1 John 5:19 - Â We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the [power of the] wicked one.
Revelation 12:9 - So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.
What do you think about these two scriptures?
2007-07-23 15:52:03 · answer #8 · answered by SisterCF 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
John 1:17
John 6:32
John 10:7
Luke 24:25
Matthew 11:11
John 4:41
and Luke 4:6 and 4:9
John 4:21-22
John 3:14
John 8:44
2007-07-23 15:47:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The Holy Apostolic Catholic Church-Our Lord is truly present and all of the celestrial court at every mass that is said in the world. All are invited to the heavenly banquet
2007-07-23 15:49:18 · answer #10 · answered by Gods child 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋