...why then, when Jesus himself explains what 'the kingdom of god" means, do so many Christians think the kingdom is either heaven or some future theocracy?
Luke 17:20-21
"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. "
2007-12-19 05:26:43 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If the Kingdom of God lies within, no one would need a church... and the churches would lose their power and financial support.
This is why the Gnostic Gospels were discarded at the council of Nicea.
2007-12-19 05:29:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 4⤋
Because Jesus kingdom was established at that time.... in His followers. His rule was established as King of His Kingdom when he was here on earth. It does not mean there will not be an actual physical kingdom for us in the future.
If a person is part of the Roman Kingdom and they traveled to other kingdoms...does that make them no longer a part of the Roman Kingdom? No, they recognize the authority from the Roman government and therefore have that Kingdom within them.
Same thing goes for Christians. We recognize the authority of Jesus and therefore are part of His kingdom. We are very far from home, but we still recognize the authority of Christ and therefore will become part of the physical kingdom at the time of the resurrection.
2007-12-19 05:34:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the kingdom of GOD lies within us. We all can sense it everytime we are thwarted from committing any sin or get a guilt after doing something wrong or immoral. Only people blessed with the neccessary mental maturity understand it, rest all make fun of the very idea, as you can read in some of the answers here.
2007-12-19 05:49:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kingdom of heaven that Jesus Christ said is a spiritual place. Remember the "LORD's Prayer"?
Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
When the kingdom comes here on earth, the will of the Father will be done inside that kingdom.
Did that kingdom came here on earth? Of Course! That's why
Jesus commands to seek it.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
And it will be found here on earth!
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
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Thanks! GOD Bless.
2007-12-19 06:09:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah. The gospels were collected and kept because they were important and honored by the churches, not because they agreed in every little detail. Witnesses see and hear things differently, and don't always write precisely what they mean. The lack of mention of something doesn't mean it didn't occur -- that seems to be a big problem with your list. We keep the scriptures because they are about the Truth - Jesus. The gospels agree in all essential points, not necessarily details about who was standing where.
2016-05-25 01:23:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Kingdom Of God is spiritual. The fruit of spiritual living is the establishment of his Kingdom. If we act upon his spiritual principles we will manifest an outward fruit and shine a light within a dark world. I.E. no killing, no stealing, no rape, get the idea. For what a man has in his heart will manifest within his action's. For the evil within your heart, you have sinned already.
2007-12-19 05:37:10 · answer #6 · answered by Richard C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Kingdom is inside you
you purpose is to the the light of the Kingdom shine thru you
like Jesus Did
2007-12-19 05:33:06 · answer #7 · answered by mmmkay_us 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The spirit of God is in us, but the kingdom of God is a place where we get to dwell with both Jesus and His Father who is in heaven.
.....7.....
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
.....8.....
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
.....9.....
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
.....10.....
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
2Corinthians 5:7-10
grace2u
2007-12-19 05:47:16 · answer #8 · answered by Theophilus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are citizens of heaven when we tuely receive Jesus in our heart so the Kingdom of God is within us.But we are still living on earth.It is like if you are a citizen of France and you are visiting the U. S.
2007-12-19 05:32:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Greek is more specific, it means "within your midsts". In other words, Jesus was God come in the flesh. He was talking to those (the Pharisees) who were so far from the truth, that they were accusing the work of the Holy Spirit as of Satan. Obviously, God was not "within them". Jesus was saying that they keep looking for the kingdom here and there (see preceding verses), but they did not know that Jesus Himself was the kingdom come in the flesh right there before their very eyes.
He also said that they search the scriptures thinking that within the scriptures they would find eternal life, but in reality, the scriptures testified of Him. HE was the source of eternal life, and HE was the kingdom that had come upon them.
There are many examples to confirm this. Here is one in Matthew 12:28 Jesus said, "If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you."
The kingdom comes not with observation because the kingdom of God is a spiritual one. The zealots wanted to proclaim Jesus as King to overthrow Rome. But He said, "My kingdom is NOT of this world."
2007-12-19 05:30:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
People understand Jesus words the way they want, the way they can. Remember that Jesus said that 2 thousand years ago! People had different thoughts by that time. And look deep inside yourself and you'll find Jesus there!!
2007-12-19 05:42:31 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋