Kingdom
of Heaven PredictedThe Scriptures foretold that God would set up an everlasting kingdom:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the GOVERNMENT shall be upon his shoulder . . . to order it, and to establish it.
Isaiah 9:6-7
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven SET UP A KINGDOM, which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Daniel 2:44
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7:14
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Daniel 7:18
And the kingdom . . . shall be GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THE SAINTS of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
Daniel 7:27
Jesus began His public ministry urging men to turn from sin and unto God:
The TIME IS COME, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel.
Mark 1:15
And it fortuned after that, that he himself (Jesus) went throughout cities and towns, preaching, and showing the kingdom of God, and the twelve with him.
Luke 8:1
Jesus explained that in the governments of the world, men lord it over other men. But those in His Kingdom are not to participate in such activities. In His government, we serve one another:
The kings of the gentiles reign over them, and they that bear rule over them, are called gracious lords. BUT YE SHALL NOT BE SO. But he that is greatest among you, shall be as the youngest: and he that is chief, shall be as the minister.
Luke 22:25-26
About the year 33 A.D., Jesus Christ handed the Kingdom of Heaven to his followers at Jerusalem as prophesied at Daniel 2:44 and 7:27:
I APPOINT UNTO YOU A KINGDOM, as my Father hath appointed to me: that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:29-30
Less than 24 hours after delegating His Father's Government to the apostles, the kingdoms of this world crucified our King. By shedding His blood, a nation was born.
As soon as Jesus had received of the vinegar, he said: IT IS FINISHED, and bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
John 19:30
At the Last Supper, Jesus predicted that He would eat and drink with the apostles in the Kingdom of God:
And he said unto them: I have inwardly desired to eat this Easter lamb with you before that I suffer. For I say unto you: henceforth, I will not eat of it anymore, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said. Take this, and divide it among you. For I say unto you: I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, UNTIL THE KINGDOM OF GOD BE COME.
Luke 22:15-18
Then Jesus rose from the dead, and He did "eat" and "drink" with the apostles. This act confirmed that the kingdom of God had truly come.
And we are witnesses of all things which he did in the land of the Jews and at Jerusalem, whom they slew, and hung on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly, not to all the people, but unto us witnesses chosen before of God, WHICH ATE AND DRANK WITH HIM, after he arose from death.
Acts 10:39-43
God's Government Now Available
Fifty days later, the Holy Spirit fell upon Christ's followers at Jerusalem. Receiving power from on High, the apostles continued in their Master's steps, preaching the glad tidings of God's government:
Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission (forgiveness) of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost.
Acts 2:38
Then came Philip into a city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. . . . And there was great joy in that city. . . . as soon as they believed Philip's preaching of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
Acts 8:5,8,12
The law and the prophets reigned until the time of John: and since that time, the kingdom of God is preached, and every man striveth to go in.
Luke 16:16
Jesus is God (John 1:1-14). From Him we receive our life:
Jesus said unto him: I am the way, the truth and the life. And no man cometh unto the father, but by me.
John 14:6
I am the vine, and ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without me can ye do nothing.
John 15:5
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew Chapters 5 - 7) describes a new and Living Way that was from the beginning. The Code of Conduct is summed up in the Golden Rule:
Therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, even so do ye to them. This is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12
This is my commandment, that ye love together as I have loved you.
John 15:12
The first priority of our lives is to seek His Kingdom:
Therefore take no thought saying: what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? After all these things seek the Gentiles. For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But rather SEEK YE FIRST the kingdom of heaven and the righteousness thereof, and all these things shall be ministered unto you.
Matthew 6:31-33
Make the decision now to enter His Kingdom and begin the journey as citizens of Heaven.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
Fear not little flock, for it is your father's pleasure, to give you a kingdom.
Luke 12:32