Accepting Jesus' command to repent and believe this message, this good news, is the first step. That the kingdom of God can be equated with the sphere of salvation is evident in John 3:5–7, where Jesus says the kingdom of God must be entered into by being born again. He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. It includes the keys to binding and loosing, healing, answered prayer, as well as our spiritual warfare. We can see from the Lord’s words that we need to achieve true repentance before we are able to enter the kingdom of God. And said, Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [46] However, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. Those who receive persecution for the sake of the nation, the world, and the cosmos are wise men. Without understanding this part of the gospel, one cannot understand what salvation is. Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Here are some of the keys that Jesus Christ gave to help one qualify for entrance back into the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is different from heaven. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (3) Adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. It is from this background that we find the reason why the Lord said it's hard for a rich man to enter God's kingdom. If, when you go to the spiritual world after undergoing the suffering of a public life on earth, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God, you can complain to True Father. This was the Kingdom of God is on earth as it is in heaven. All that is needed is a sincere desire to do God’s will and learn the ways He wants us to follow. Their lives were centered on that Kingdom, not on their physical, material life. The New Testament is replete with faith-inspiring words of encouragement and assurance. The Lord Jesus said, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17). [51] Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, American King James Version×; Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.American King James Version×). [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And it really is good news, the most wonderful news imaginable to mankind. When our lives are devoted to seeking God's Kingdom, our outlook will be like that of the patriarchs as recorded in Hebrews 11. The United Church of God is committed to proclaiming this message and invites you to follow Jesus Christ's admonition to believe and respond to it. To enter heaven you must repent otherwise you perish. Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Trust Him because He is Jesus. I want to begin by critiquing a popular privatized, internal, individualistic interpretation of this passage. It is usually limited to sexual unfaithfulness to a marriage partner. [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Then came these strikin… Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says? [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. This is because the Kingdom of God is where God reigns in righteousness and truth and if we want to enter in we must be prepared to dwell in righteousness and truth. The true gospel reveals that the saints—the faithful followers of Jesus Christ resurrected to eternal life at His return—will be actively involved in ruling with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God when it is established (Revelation 5:10 Revelation 5:10And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.American King James Version×). For this you know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. There is another sense in which the kingdom of God is used in Scripture: the literal rule of Christ on the earth during the millennium. Many who think they are in the kingdom of God, are not in the kingdom at all Jesus said, “If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. Jesus said in Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” [21] Contentions, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In the Kingdom parables of the Bible (ones that often begin, “The kingdom of heaven is like …”), Jesus explained what the Kingdom will be like and what we must do to enter the Kingdom. Understanding this point is vitally important in terms of entering the Kingdom of God because “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). American King James Version×, NIV). Obey God, endure trials as they come, and you can enter not just into God’s Kingdom, but also His glory! And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. The Kingdom of God is not an actual location. Both the one who makes men holy [Christ] and those who are made holy [repentant and converted hum… . © 2020 The Bible Says That All rights reserved. Every issue contains articles explaining the teachings of Jesus Christ about the coming Kingdom of God and what you should do to enter that glorious Kingdom. Then verse 5 says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Amen.American King James Version×). God reveals His wonderful truth to those He is calling now (John 6:44 John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.American King James Version×). As the name implies, The Good News is dedicated to the message Jesus proclaimed. [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14 Matthew 24:14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.American King James Version×). Lk 13:3: I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. Seeking God’s Kingdom must become our highest priority, no matter what the difficulties. For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. [51] Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell” – Mark 9:47. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. American King James Version×indicates that our ultimate destiny is to participate in rulership over the entire universe as glorified, immortal sons of God! [14] For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Otherwise you cannot see it from outside but need to do John 3v5 in order to see it John 3v3 . Or, trust it because the Bible says so.” These ar… Revelation 21:1-27 - And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell” – Mark 9:47. We Must Receive God's Kingdom Like a Child In a broader sense, Jesus tells us that we must receive the kingdom of God like a child. American King James Version×). Will it always be easy? To enter heaven you must repent otherwise you perish. American King James Version×; 1 Corinthians 15:42-54 1 Corinthians 15:42-54 [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. The Kingdom of God is not an actual location. Consider what the Apostle Paul wrote, that we are children of God, “and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Obey God, endure trials as they come, and you can enter not just into God’s Kingdom, but also His glory! [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: All that is needed is a sincere desire to do God’s will and learn the ways He wants us to follow. The phrase ‘Kingdom of God’ (also ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ or ‘Kingdom of Light’) appears more than 80 times in the New Testament. [17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Well Jesus gave us a clear idea when he said in Matthew 19:24 “I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.” If you would like to know more about the annual festivals, be sure to request our free booklets What Is Your Destiny? Or, trust it because the Bible says so.” These ar… Adultery seems to be more specific a term than fornication. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. United Church of God is a 501(c)3 organization. The kingdom of God, Jesus replied, is not something people will be able to see and point to. Even though others criticized the Colossians for the way they observed these days, Paul and the saints at Colosse grasped the connection between the purpose of these days and the gospel. Note Matthew 5:20, "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [16] But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: why God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city. The evidence of true faith and legitimate entrance into the kingdom is demonstrated by obedience (Matthew 7:21) and the fruit of a transformed life (2 Corinthians 5:17). As believers, we already have the Spirit of God, but we need to learn the mind and the heart of God. Here are some of the keys that Jesus Christ gave to help one qualify for entrance back into the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God, Jesus replied, is not something people will be able to see and point to. I don’t believe it is a blatant lie, but yet, this inaccuracyis a twisting of the truth. John 14:6 ESV / 12 helpful votes [7] You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands: ~~W.R. [4] Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? [25] It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ', the sufferings of this present time are not worthy. Mark 10:15 - Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. American King James Version×). [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Our suffering will be as nothing compared to Christ’s. He says, 'I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises' . John 3:5 In this verse, Jesus introduces a second facet of the Kingdom of God, teaching that a person can enter into it, as well as that one must be "born again" to bring about the entrance.The question arises, "How long must one wait before entering it?" Most of these references occur in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.While the exact term is not found in the Old Testament, the existence of God’s Kingdom is expressed similarly in the Old Testament. [21] And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, The Lord Jesus said, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17). We know that Christ suffered terribly, undeservedly. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. and God's Holy Day Plan—the Promise of Hope for All Mankind. ~~W.R. And said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, there is no way that you shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Paul said, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22 Acts 14:22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.American King James Version×). 12 helpful votes the Kingdom of God [ 53 ] for he must reign till. 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