Kingdom 102: Developing a Kingdom Concept
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Keep in mind, the first recorded words of the Lord Jesus' public ministry was aimed at changing the way we think. He wanted them to shift their thinking into a Kingdom concept. If you have noticed, John and Jesus were on the same page: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’”
Jesus came into the world to introduce the Lord God's plan for this planet earth and His first statement was "Repent!" In His very first statement to this world, Jesus began by telling us that we needed to change our minds. That, in essence, is what the word repent means. Another way of saying it is that we need to change our way of thinking--our mindset.
Now literally speaking, to repent means to stop, turn around, and go in the opposite direction. This suggests action, but action follows thinking. Before we can turn around, we have to decide to turn around. That requires thinking. Some of us might even find the Lord Jesus' first words insulting, because He is stating "You have the wrong kind of thinking". Everything you are learning is wrong. We need to change. For example, in our democratic environment, we have been taught that governments operate by the will and vote of the people, even in choosing our own leaders. In a democracy, every vote counts and every opinion is important. By the way, if you believe that, then slap yourself and wake up. They say the majority rules. This isn't so in a kingdom. The vote of the people means nothing in a kingdom, and only one opinion matters--the king's.
In most nations, there are many allegiances. A king should never be confused with a dictator, who uses and controls the people. A king is responsible for his subjects. As a father make laws, sets guidelines, provides and protects, so does a king. In the Kingdom of God, there is only one allegiance--to the king. There isn't any vote in the Kingdom of God. His Word is supreme, absolute and sovereign. We don't vote for our leader; He is already in place. His is a permanent office. The Lord God's tenure as King is eternal. It is a reign that will never end, neither by death nor by conquest. Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
Matthew 4:17 Matthew 3:1-3 Revelation 11:15 II Corinthians 15:24-26
~~W.R. Luchie
Keep in mind, the first recorded words of the Lord Jesus' public ministry was aimed at changing the way we think. He wanted them to shift their thinking into a Kingdom concept. If you have noticed, John and Jesus were on the same page: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’”
Jesus came into the world to introduce the Lord God's plan for this planet earth and His first statement was "Repent!" In His very first statement to this world, Jesus began by telling us that we needed to change our minds. That, in essence, is what the word repent means. Another way of saying it is that we need to change our way of thinking--our mindset.
Now literally speaking, to repent means to stop, turn around, and go in the opposite direction. This suggests action, but action follows thinking. Before we can turn around, we have to decide to turn around. That requires thinking. Some of us might even find the Lord Jesus' first words insulting, because He is stating "You have the wrong kind of thinking". Everything you are learning is wrong. We need to change. For example, in our democratic environment, we have been taught that governments operate by the will and vote of the people, even in choosing our own leaders. In a democracy, every vote counts and every opinion is important. By the way, if you believe that, then slap yourself and wake up. They say the majority rules. This isn't so in a kingdom. The vote of the people means nothing in a kingdom, and only one opinion matters--the king's.
In most nations, there are many allegiances. A king should never be confused with a dictator, who uses and controls the people. A king is responsible for his subjects. As a father make laws, sets guidelines, provides and protects, so does a king. In the Kingdom of God, there is only one allegiance--to the king. There isn't any vote in the Kingdom of God. His Word is supreme, absolute and sovereign. We don't vote for our leader; He is already in place. His is a permanent office. The Lord God's tenure as King is eternal. It is a reign that will never end, neither by death nor by conquest. Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
Matthew 4:17 Matthew 3:1-3 Revelation 11:15 II Corinthians 15:24-26
~~W.R. Luchie
