I have had lots of trials in the church, and so decided to stay away. I believe the church is a place to run to and not run from. To now be intimidated, mocked, or stepped on in that same church just beats my imagination. This scripture got me thinking. Have I made the right decision to stay away or do I pretend that all is well and continue to attend?
CPT.10 LETS ME KNOW THAT AFORE TIME THEY DID'NT HAVE CHOICE BUT TO SACERFICE BULLS'GOATS'LAMBS BUT BECAUSE THEY CAME EVERY YEAR GOD WAS REMINEDED OF THIER SINS EVERY YEAR(BUT)THE MAN CALLED JESUS GOD'S SON CAME THAT WE MAY BE REGENERATED WASH IN THE BLOOD BORN AGAIN THAT WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE HE DIED FOR OUR SINS ONCE SO THERES NO MORE SACERFICE OF SIN SOOOO WE OUGHT TO BE CARE HOWWE HANDLE OUR FREEDOM NOT USE IT FOR OCCASION TO SIN (BUT) TO MAGNIFY JESUS TO WIN SOULS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
The person may or may not be cruel... sometimes... there are those who just lost their jobs... lost their homes... lost everything... and this was the straw that broke their backs... IF YOU are a person who owns a business and has some $$$ to spare to hire a person... please do so... not just for this "puppy"... but so that everyone can be lifted up... ESPECIALLY of you are a Godly Business Person... Helping someone find a job... or HIRING them... is a testimony of how our Lord and Savior has BLESSED YOU...
Hebrews 10:25... "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."... this is NOT just about gathering in a church... although that is true too... but gathering UNemployed Believers in the Lord Jesus... so that we can ... together... Rejoice in Faith...
I wonder if assembling online counts. It was not a possibility at that time, but today it is easy to engage believers in a meaningful way through social media.
many times JESUS HAS BROUGHT me back home .HE DOESNT give up on me.JESUS keeps me alive for HIS GLORY.MAN says ,"there is no HOPE for him"JESUS SAYS,"THIS IS THE SALVATION I BRING to the lost"JESUS LOVES US ...
To Bane's, You grew up with trust being a hard thing to do from what you have related to me. When you accepted Christ as your personal Saviour he exspect us to trust Him and those he sends our way. He also exspects us to be part of a local church. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The Holy Spirit is residing in you and You Were baptised in the Holy Spirit the moment you accepted Christ. It dose not invole any type of works, tounges,EXC. God will show you his word in many ways from the same schripture. This is how I receive many of my blessings in life.I can recall at least 12 differnt messages over peter walking on the water. All schriptural, correct & a blessing. Think for a second--Who would want to keep you from a local church?? Christ who established the church and died for it?? or Satan who wants to steal your joy?? I must head to work so will continue later. If you tell me what town you live in I can see if I know of a good church in the area. God Bless Mike
God isn't about eternal punishment, diuision, or falling back on His Promises. MAN works those things after being sold on a bill of false goods by The Whore of Babylon. MAN Iudges MAN. Offer Iudgment about a "wicked person" and understand where that wickedness was just deliuered from. Then cast out that wicked person. You may see this person in the flesh by looking into a mirror.
Would YOU punish YOUR children for Eternity? CRUEL. God has NO desire for any of us to suffer in Eternity. NONE.
GOD is GOOD, KIND, COMPASSION, FULL OF GRACE AND MERCY, LOVE, PEACE AND LIFE.
All other gods offering jealous wrath are Images of the Beast. The Prophesie is clear about who is who in the 1611 King James Bible.
God is also not about regrets in any way whatsoever, but rather offers the opposite of regrets - GRATEFULNESS. Having regrets is calling onto oneself. It is darkenesse. Regretting one's life, even those times when mistakes were made, is Iudging oneself negatively for things that one couldn't possibly know. Regretting anything blinds the eyes and confuses the mind behind a vaile. Regrets are a Damn Shame.
About my comment on 07-24-11, Are you agree or dis-agree. If you dis-agree share your comments about our owned Soul can enter into the kingdom of heaven basing the word of God.
Here is some of the mystery of God 1Tim 3:16 helps you to understand Jesus gave a great commission to the world, In the begining God lead his people out of the wilderness thru his servant Moses. But now in the end of the world he came into the world by the sacrifice of himself Hebrews 9:1-28 talking about himself coming as the second veil (meaning flesh)to put away sin Hebrews 10:5 where he talks about a body he prepaired himself so that he could shed blood for the sins of the world, because the bible says that wiithout the shedding of blood there was no remission for sins Hebrews 2:14,9:7,12-14,18-22. Being the great God that he is, he placed himself in a virgin woman called Mary (womb) to be born as a son in the flesh and as he was born the angel had already spoke to her and said his name shall be called Jesus which is the name above every name( Luke 1:27-35)The Holy Ghost is the spirit of the Lord, so he became flesh ( John 1:1-14). Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and on the day of pentecost Peter answered the question of how to be saved when the people ask (men and brethen what shall we do ?) Please read carefully with an open heart to God's word. Whosoever obey shall be saved (Acts:1 and 2). God's Blessings!!
V.23 - Response to question of 8-6-11 about the process to enter the kingdom of heaven. May I explain that the kingdom of heaven is that realm in which the will of God is fulfilled, rather than a place. Among many Bible verses, John 3:16. states the promise and the process(which is by "believing", faith, actively relying on Jesus, we receive the life that enables one to do God's will. As Jesus explained to Niccodemus in John 3:5, one must be born from above to enter this kingdom. This eternal life is also the only passport to the place called heaven. 1 Thess.4:17 says "We (believers with faith in His promises) shall forever be with the Lord. As Heb. 10:22-23 state, "Let us draw near in full assurance of faith....and hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.
Not my verses, God's Word. It does not matter what I think. It matters what He says. Romans 5:8, Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 5:1. Someone may say "then just accept Christ and do whatever you want. God cannot be decieved. He sees our hearts and our motives. Romans 6:1. Works are what we do for Him because we love him. His baseline expection for me: Rom 12:1-2 Of course it is more complex than that... But for salvation we need to come simply, as a child... with childlike faith.
The doctrines/teachings Faith Alone = Salvation is a half truth doctrine. Because, even one verses in the bible you cannot read that through Faith our Soul can enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many verses in the bible that to enter into the kingdom of heaven is in your own works/individual works to follow the words of Jesus Christ. Old test. prophesy is in verses: Exeq. 14:14, 14:20, & Exeq. 18:27. New test. verses; James 1:21& 22, Acts 2:40, Fil. 2:12. In Mat. 7:21, faith alone cannot ride this verse because to enter into the kingdom of heaven is the one's who doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Faith and Good Works = Salvation to enter into heaven. Our heavenly Father will not judge to our faith to him. But our heavenly Father will judge to our works whether good or bad. Supporting verses: 2 Cor. 5:10, John 12:48 & Eccl. 12:14
This is an important chapter not only in Hebrews but the whole Bible because the central theme in Pauls letters is the justifying of Faith not thru works thru the mosaic law but thru Faith in the risen Christ! But he doesn't completly succeed in that Jesus said he did not come yo change the law one tittle or one jot but to fulfill it, and he did fulfill perfectly, even moreso than his fathers, Moses, David and Abraham for he said who can convict him of any sin at all. You think Jesus was perfect, virgin born? Why did he preach the scriptures in the temple daily, and learn from the learned men of his day when he was twelve, which is coming of age for the Jews.
Verse 26-29 Is talking about the person who rejects the finished work of Christ and tries to establish their own righteous through the law of Moses. Even though the law is holy righteous and true it can not make you holy righteous and true.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Grace does not justify us to sin. When you put faith- only in the finished work of Christ, you are justified in the sight of God from all sin. Not by what you did; but rather, by what Christ did for you. Exodus 12:13 and the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye [are]: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy [you], when I smite the land of Egypt.
The scripture says when I see the blood – not when I see your good works. Titus 3: 8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Good Works will not save you –Only the blood of Jesus. The scripture teaches good works are important –but not for salvation. If you love God you will maintain good works for his glory and for the sake of the lost man. To love your neighbor as your self is to live your life for the sake of the lost man. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Always the issue comes down to grace vs works
Any one who teaches faith + works = salvation is teaching a false gospel. It is a lie and can not save you.
Just remember Faith alone = Salvation
What about James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James is speaking to believers about Service unto the lord –Verse 1 “My brethren”
Read James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.
If you are going to maintain your righteousness through the law then you will have to be absolutely perfect in maintaining the whole law order to enter heaven.
There is only one man who fulfilled the whole law- Jesus Christ.
Any one who teaches grace gives you the freedom to sin does not truly understand grace.
Praise the Lord, It's good to know truth in a revelation of God.
1. Father -- Spirit
2. Son -- The Flesh
3. Holy Ghost -- Spirit that indwells your body from God himself.
God look down from heaven and saw none doing good ,not one, read that in ( Psalms 14:1-7) So God being full of his love and mercy to us he made himself a body ( Hebrews 10:5), Hebrews 9:26-28 which is called Son because he came as man, and what can a woman birth? son or daughter correct? God knew that there had to be blood shed for remission of sins so he sacrificed himself by being born of a woman. Please read about the mystery of God. 1Timothy 3:16 God Bless
If you continue reading especially verses 28-30, God clearly shows us that if we reach a point in our mind and spirit that we would actually despise the laws from God, we will be eternally punished. The chapter doesn't suggest that a person who has salvation loses it, but if you dispise God's law then obviously you despise God, so you will be eternally punished. I believe God is talking about apostates in this chapter. I don't believe apostates ever truly repented and surrendered to God, but they had an emotional experience With God, but let their own hearts despise God through their own covetousness and idolatries onto death. They took it to the grave, with no repentance, no regrets. Scarry! God have mercy.
Your Right, the Christ will have All the colabos on GOD'S Word... the 2nd Christ of of cours. you people need to know that you are in the Apocalypse and you cant live on bread alone. The Spirit of Love already died on the Cross/ which means Mother. and She will teach you the Ne ordinaces how to live during the Great Tribulation and from there on. It is Her blood that is sacred, The Bloodline of Judah. The One who holds the keys to the KINGDOM OF GOD. Daughter Jerusalem/ Mary Magdalene The Bride Of GOD
What the law could never do Christ blood did do. It is the perfect blood of Jesus that saves us, redeems us, perfects us, and sanctifies us. For how long?-forever: his blood is eternal. How long am I saved-forever! How long am I sanctified –forever! For by one offering he has perfected forever them that are sanctified. If you are” In Christ” you are sanctified because Jesus is your sanctification. If you are” In Christ” you are perfect because Jesus is your perfection. If you are” In Christ” you are righteous because Jesus is your righteousness. Christ one time sacrifice was sufficient to pay for all my sins once for all. On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand! Thank you Jesus, for you alone are worthy of all praise and honor!
It's a great commission from God, as in vs. 19-20 telling us to be baptized in the name of the father, son and the Holy Ghost is all wonderful, but where alot of us get the wrong thought is not understanding what's the name? As in human nature we come to this world in the flesh born of a woman as a son or daughter but we do not name our children son or daughter do we? (No) we give them a name, so take a look at this scripture and search it out for the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. Read John 14:8-10 the differance is the flesh and spirit, God planted himself in a virgin woman name Mary to become flesh Read Hebrews 10:5, Luke 1:30-35 pay attention to the repeat of SON, God overshadowed her with his spirit so that he can come to the world to shed his blood for us, because no one else was worthy so he made himself a body using a woman never been touched by man physically and we know when Mary birth him his name was called JESUS! Read Hebrews 9:12-15 & 26. Father is spirit,Son is flesh and Holy Ghost is spirit that indwells us when we receive him in our temple. If you would like to here more and see more scriptures please feel free to ask and God Bless you all. God's word you have to search and find the mystery of him read 1 timothy 3:16 (Anita)
Verses 26-29 completely negate the whole argument of eternal security. Check it out, and warn those who use eternal security as a means of jusifying sin in their lives.
Jesus were given his disciples and followers specific commands, a kind of worldwide works that individually should follow,if truly they are an obedient followers. This is about the preaching work about the Kingdom of God and discipleship making. Please read Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:18,20
But most people around the world still do not know what is the Kingdom of God? And which among many religions are truly followers of Jesus, since Jesus himself warned that "many" will confess him as Lord but "will deceived many"- Matthew 24:4,5
The safest things to do is to stay at home and wait someone to knock on our door. Why? Because Jesus had specific command to his true followers, at Matthew 10:5-11 Jesus commanded his follower to " Preach the good news of the kingdom of God through house to house method, village to village and city to city." Also read Acts 20:20
Yes, if we are truly determined to obey Jesus command, We should stick to his "specific" teachings and wait until we meet this kind of people, right on our doorway. Ask them like, " Do you know what is the Kingdom of God?"
Here are some truth about the Kingdom of God:
When Will
God’s Kingdom Come?
“LORD, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” ( Acts 1:6) The apostles were eager to know when Jesus would establish his Kingdom. Today, some 2,000 years later, people are still eager to know: When will God’s Kingdom come?
Since Jesus made the Kingdom the theme of his preaching, you might expect that he discussed this question. And indeed he did! He spoke extensively about a marked period of time that he called his “presence.” ( Matthew 24:37) That presence is closely tied to the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. What is this presence? Let us consider four truths the Bible reveals about the presence of Christ.
1. Christ’s presence would begin a long time after his death. Jesus gave an illustration in which he likened himself to a man who “traveled to a distant land to secure kingly power,” or to “secure a kingdom.” ( Luke 19:12; footnote) How was that prophetic illustration fulfilled? Well, Jesus died and was resurrected; then he traveled to the “distant land,” that is, heaven. As Jesus foretold in a similar illustration, his return in kingly power would come only “after a long time.”— Matthew 25:19.
Some years after Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostle Paul wrote: “This man [Jesus] offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.” ( Hebrews 10:12, 13) So a lengthy period of waiting followed Jesus’ arrival in heaven. The wait finally ended when Jehovah God made his Son the King of the long-promised Messianic Kingdom. That was when Christ’s presence began. Would humans on earth see this momentous event?
2. The presence is invisible to human eyes. Remember, Jesus discussed the sign of his presence. ( Matthew 24:3) If his presence were visible to human eyes, would a sign be needed? To illustrate: Imagine that you are traveling to see the ocean. You may see road signs directing you along the way, but once you are at the shore, standing at the water’s edge with the vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon, would you expect to see a sign with a big arrow pointing ahead, emblazoned with the word “Ocean”? Of course not! Why have a sign to point out what you can easily identify with your eyes?
Jesus described the sign of his presence, not to point out something that humans could see with their eyes, but to help them discern something that would occur in heaven. Thus, Jesus said: “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness.” ( Luke 17:20) How, then, would the sign show those on earth that Christ’s presence had begun?
3. Jesus’ presence would be marked by a time of profound troubles here on earth. Jesus said that his presence as King in heaven would be marked on earth by wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, and lawlessness. ( Matthew 24:7-12; Luke 21:10, 11) What would cause all this misery? The Bible explains that Satan, “the ruler of this world,” is full of rage because he knows that his time is very short now that Christ’s presence as King has begun. ( John 12:31; Revelation 12:9, 12) Such visible evidence of Satan’s rage and of Christ’s presence has been abundant in our time. Especially since 1914, a year that historians acknowledge was a turning point, has this evidence appeared on an unprecedented and global scale.
All of that may sound like bad news, but it is not. It means that the Messianic Kingdom is ruling now in heaven. Very soon, that government will exercise its rule right here over all the earth. How, though, would people know about that Kingdom in order to accept its rule and become its subjects?
The bad news we hear every day proves that good things are coming soon
Two women discussing Jesus' prophecy
4. Jesus’ presence is marked by a global preaching work. Jesus said that his presence would be like “the days of Noah.”* ( Matthew 24:37-39) Noah was more than an ark builder; he was also “a preacher of righteousness.” ( 2 Peter 2:5) Noah warned people that a judgment from God was on its way. Jesus said that his followers on earth would be doing something similar during his presence. He prophesied: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”— Matthew 24:14.
As we saw in the preceding article, God’s Kingdom will destroy all the governments of this world. The preaching work alerts people that this heavenly government is about to act, giving all an opportunity to escape the coming destruction and become subjects of that Kingdom. The key question, then, is, How will you respond?
Will God’s Kingdom Mean Good News for You?
The message that Jesus preached was one of incomparable hope. After the rebellion in Eden thousands of years ago, Jehovah God purposed to form a government that would set matters right, returning faithful humans to the condition that God had in mind for them from the start—life eternal in a paradise here on earth. What could be more thrilling than the knowledge that this long-promised government is ruling right now in heaven? It is not some remote, abstract concept but a living reality!
Now, God’s appointed King is ruling in the midst of his enemies. ( Psalm 110:2) In this corrupt world alienated from God, the Messiah is fulfilling his Father’s desire to search out all who want to come to know God as he really is and to worship him “with spirit and truth.” ( John 4:24) The hope of living forever under the rule of God’s Kingdom is available to people of all races, ages, and social backgrounds. ( Acts 10:34, 35) We urge you to take hold of the marvelous opportunity before you. Learn about God’s Kingdom now, so that you can enjoy living under its righteous rule forever!— 1 John 2:17.
Much of what is written in the Old Testament was given as laws and ordinances for Israel to keep as a nation, and was for them at that time, since Jesus had not yet come. When in doubt compare the Old Testament to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament. There are many NT references to keeping the Sabbath, but no verses that condemn working on the sabbath. You can even read Luke 13 to see how Jesus responded to those who accused him of breaking the sabbath.
While I have found no conedemnation of working in the NT, what is important to remember is that it does condemn missing of worship. Hebrews 10:25 says
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
As we are much closer to "the day" than when this was written, I believe it is all the more important to assemble with other believers to worship. While I have had odd Sundays where I have to work in the evening, I never allow myself to miss Church.
verse- this tell use to assemble.i love to assemble with like belivers. if you are able to go to church go to a spirt feeled church. if you are unable to do this GOD knows and understands. ever call those preachers when you have sickness if death in your family, did they show up?
verses 35 and36 " after you have done the will of GOD" we must have confidence and have patience that you will recieve THE PROMISE, ETERNEL LIFE.
Hebrews 10:25... "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."... this is NOT just about gathering in a church... although that is true too... but gathering UNemployed Believers in the Lord Jesus... so that we can ... together... Rejoice in Faith...
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The Holy Spirit is residing in you and You Were baptised in the Holy Spirit the moment you accepted Christ. It dose not invole any type of works, tounges,EXC. God will show you his word in many ways from the same schripture. This is how I receive many of my blessings in life.I can recall at least 12 differnt messages over peter walking on the water. All schriptural, correct & a blessing. Think for a second--Who would want to keep you from a local church?? Christ who established the church and died for it?? or Satan who wants to steal your joy?? I must head to work so will continue later. If you tell me what town you live in I can see if I know of a good church in the area. God Bless Mike
Would YOU punish YOUR children for Eternity? CRUEL. God has NO desire for any of us to suffer in Eternity. NONE.
GOD is GOOD, KIND, COMPASSION, FULL OF GRACE AND MERCY, LOVE, PEACE AND LIFE.
All other gods offering jealous wrath are Images of the Beast. The Prophesie is clear about who is who in the 1611 King James Bible.
God is also not about regrets in any way whatsoever, but rather offers the opposite of regrets - GRATEFULNESS. Having regrets is calling onto oneself. It is darkenesse. Regretting one's life, even those times when mistakes were made, is Iudging oneself negatively for things that one couldn't possibly know. Regretting anything blinds the eyes and confuses the mind behind a vaile. Regrets are a Damn Shame.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Grace does not justify us to sin. When you put faith- only in the finished work of Christ, you are justified in the sight of God from all sin. Not by what you did; but rather, by what Christ did for you.
Exodus 12:13 and the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye [are]: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy [you], when I smite the land of Egypt.
The scripture says when I see the blood – not when I see your good works.
Titus 3: 8 [This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Good Works will not save you –Only the blood of Jesus. The scripture teaches good works are important –but not for salvation. If you love God you will maintain good works for his glory and for the sake of the lost man. To love your neighbor as your self is to live your life for the sake of the lost man.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Always the issue comes down to grace vs works
Any one who teaches faith + works = salvation is teaching a false gospel. It is a lie and can not save you.
Just remember Faith alone = Salvation
What about James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James is speaking to believers about Service unto the lord –Verse 1 “My brethren”
Read James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.
If you are going to maintain your righteousness through the law then you will have to be absolutely perfect in maintaining the whole law order to enter heaven.
There is only one man who fulfilled the whole law- Jesus Christ.
Any one who teaches grace gives you the freedom to sin does not truly understand grace.
1. Father -- Spirit
2. Son -- The Flesh
3. Holy Ghost -- Spirit that indwells your body from God himself.
God look down from heaven and saw none doing good ,not one, read that in ( Psalms 14:1-7) So God being full of his love and mercy to us he made himself a body ( Hebrews 10:5), Hebrews 9:26-28 which is called Son because he came as man, and what can a woman birth? son or daughter correct? God knew that there had to be blood shed for remission of sins so he sacrificed himself by being born of a woman. Please read about the mystery of God. 1Timothy 3:16 God Bless
But most people around the world still do not know what is the Kingdom of God? And which among many religions are truly followers of Jesus, since Jesus himself warned that "many" will confess him as Lord but "will deceived many"- Matthew 24:4,5
The safest things to do is to stay at home and wait someone to knock on our door. Why? Because Jesus had specific command to his true followers, at Matthew 10:5-11 Jesus commanded his follower to " Preach the good news of the kingdom of God through house to house method, village to village and city to city." Also read Acts 20:20
Yes, if we are truly determined to obey Jesus command, We should stick to his "specific" teachings and wait until we meet this kind of people, right on our doorway. Ask them like, " Do you know what is the Kingdom of God?"
Here are some truth about the Kingdom of God:
When Will
God’s Kingdom Come?
“LORD, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” ( Acts 1:6) The apostles were eager to know when Jesus would establish his Kingdom. Today, some 2,000 years later, people are still eager to know: When will God’s Kingdom come?
Since Jesus made the Kingdom the theme of his preaching, you might expect that he discussed this question. And indeed he did! He spoke extensively about a marked period of time that he called his “presence.” ( Matthew 24:37) That presence is closely tied to the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. What is this presence? Let us consider four truths the Bible reveals about the presence of Christ.
1. Christ’s presence would begin a long time after his death. Jesus gave an illustration in which he likened himself to a man who “traveled to a distant land to secure kingly power,” or to “secure a kingdom.” ( Luke 19:12; footnote) How was that prophetic illustration fulfilled? Well, Jesus died and was resurrected; then he traveled to the “distant land,” that is, heaven. As Jesus foretold in a similar illustration, his return in kingly power would come only “after a long time.”— Matthew 25:19.
Some years after Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostle Paul wrote: “This man [Jesus] offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.” ( Hebrews 10:12, 13) So a lengthy period of waiting followed Jesus’ arrival in heaven. The wait finally ended when Jehovah God made his Son the King of the long-promised Messianic Kingdom. That was when Christ’s presence began. Would humans on earth see this momentous event?
2. The presence is invisible to human eyes. Remember, Jesus discussed the sign of his presence. ( Matthew 24:3) If his presence were visible to human eyes, would a sign be needed? To illustrate: Imagine that you are traveling to see the ocean. You may see road signs directing you along the way, but once you are at the shore, standing at the water’s edge with the vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon, would you expect to see a sign with a big arrow pointing ahead, emblazoned with the word “Ocean”? Of course not! Why have a sign to point out what you can easily identify with your eyes?
Jesus described the sign of his presence, not to point out something that humans could see with their eyes, but to help them discern something that would occur in heaven. Thus, Jesus said: “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness.” ( Luke 17:20) How, then, would the sign show those on earth that Christ’s presence had begun?
3. Jesus’ presence would be marked by a time of profound troubles here on earth. Jesus said that his presence as King in heaven would be marked on earth by wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, and lawlessness. ( Matthew 24:7-12; Luke 21:10, 11) What would cause all this misery? The Bible explains that Satan, “the ruler of this world,” is full of rage because he knows that his time is very short now that Christ’s presence as King has begun. ( John 12:31; Revelation 12:9, 12) Such visible evidence of Satan’s rage and of Christ’s presence has been abundant in our time. Especially since 1914, a year that historians acknowledge was a turning point, has this evidence appeared on an unprecedented and global scale.
All of that may sound like bad news, but it is not. It means that the Messianic Kingdom is ruling now in heaven. Very soon, that government will exercise its rule right here over all the earth. How, though, would people know about that Kingdom in order to accept its rule and become its subjects?
The bad news we hear every day proves that good things are coming soon
Two women discussing Jesus' prophecy
4. Jesus’ presence is marked by a global preaching work. Jesus said that his presence would be like “the days of Noah.”* ( Matthew 24:37-39) Noah was more than an ark builder; he was also “a preacher of righteousness.” ( 2 Peter 2:5) Noah warned people that a judgment from God was on its way. Jesus said that his followers on earth would be doing something similar during his presence. He prophesied: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”— Matthew 24:14.
As we saw in the preceding article, God’s Kingdom will destroy all the governments of this world. The preaching work alerts people that this heavenly government is about to act, giving all an opportunity to escape the coming destruction and become subjects of that Kingdom. The key question, then, is, How will you respond?
Will God’s Kingdom Mean Good News for You?
The message that Jesus preached was one of incomparable hope. After the rebellion in Eden thousands of years ago, Jehovah God purposed to form a government that would set matters right, returning faithful humans to the condition that God had in mind for them from the start—life eternal in a paradise here on earth. What could be more thrilling than the knowledge that this long-promised government is ruling right now in heaven? It is not some remote, abstract concept but a living reality!
Now, God’s appointed King is ruling in the midst of his enemies. ( Psalm 110:2) In this corrupt world alienated from God, the Messiah is fulfilling his Father’s desire to search out all who want to come to know God as he really is and to worship him “with spirit and truth.” ( John 4:24) The hope of living forever under the rule of God’s Kingdom is available to people of all races, ages, and social backgrounds. ( Acts 10:34, 35) We urge you to take hold of the marvelous opportunity before you. Learn about God’s Kingdom now, so that you can enjoy living under its righteous rule forever!— 1 John 2:17.
While I have found no conedemnation of working in the NT, what is important to remember is that it does condemn missing of worship. Hebrews 10:25 says
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
As we are much closer to "the day" than when this was written, I believe it is all the more important to assemble with other believers to worship. While I have had odd Sundays where I have to work in the evening, I never allow myself to miss Church.
verses 35 and36 " after you have done the will of GOD" we must have confidence and have patience that you will recieve THE PROMISE, ETERNEL LIFE.