For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].
Luke 17:21 Amplified
When we speak of the Kingdom of God, we understand this to be a spiritual realm. When we speak about a Kingdom, we are speaking about a King and His domain.
The Kingdom of God is a reality that is now, but not yet. While the church is the pillar and foundation of truth, she exists as the body of Christ here on the earth, now, to be expressed through every individual member of His body. His body, designed and purposed to continue His work, manifesting His Kingdom ways and rule, while we await His return.
The mystery of the Kingdom, which God has chosen to make known, is found in Colossians 1:27. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Being crucified with Christ, according to Galatians 2:20, sets the believing one free of the past, giving a whole new realm to live within. Through Jesus, a place has been prepared for us to dwell that we may be found as one new man with the Father and His Son, John 17: 20-23, abiding in perfect union.
‘Carriers of the presence of God’ is the new reality God has created through His son, Jesus Christ. This gospel announcement ushered in a new way and realm of life with God. The tabernacle of God is with man, now, as Jesus expressed from Luke 17:21, and yet to be, Revelation 21:3. The eternal Kingdom has no end
The present moment is what we must give ourselves unto, to understand and practice the ways of His Kingdom. Jesus told his disciples, “Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear”. As opposed to those whose hearts had grown dull, hearing but never understanding, and seeing but never perceiving, Mt. 13:14-16. His message of the Kingdom was preached, taught, and recorded in Scripture for us to learn and practice. “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven”.
Being able to see and hear is the beginning of revelation. This is why Jesus remarked that the Parable of the Sower is the one parable that is the most important to understand, Mark 4:13. Understanding involves hearing and receiving in order to be fruit-bearing. Fruit-bearing is foundational to each part of His body doing its share of His work.
The Apostle Paul prayed that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give believers the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. That the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened to know the hope of His calling, Ephesians 1:16-18.
It is understanding Christ within us, extending His Kingdom now, that we see and hear the need to hold His Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. While Isaiah writes His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, it does not say we cannot hold them. Paul wrote we have been given the Spirit to know the mind of Christ and understand the things that have been freely given to us by God, 1 Cor. 2:7-16.
Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, is the prayer Jesus taught. The tension we live in is a Kingdom that is now and yet to be. We long for this Kingdom, and while we wait, we align and work to do His will while we manifest His Kingdom in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
To be continued…….