An introduction

The central message of Jesus Christ was the message of "the Kingdom of God" or "the Kingdom of Heaven". This message, when understood, is the most relevant message for the needs of humanity. It is a highly attractive message, and will produce the greatest results of any message one could give. This message must once again become the central theme of preachers and teachers in these last days.

When the message of the Kingdom of God is given correctly, the results will be dramatic, just as they were for our Lord and for the apostles of our Lord. For with the proclamation of the Kingdom comes the power of the Kingdom. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 4:20 "for the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power". Anyone who dares to produce theological tomes on the subject of the Kingdom of God without demonstrating something of the reality the power of the Kingdom has missed the mark and does not know as they ought to know. The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

John the Baptist Preached the Message of the Kingdom

"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:1,2).

Jesus Preached the Message of the Kingdom

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17).

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sicknesses and all kinds of diseases among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them." (Matthew 4:23,24).

Many other references could be given from the gospels demonstrating that this was in fact the principal message of Jesus Christ. Many of Jesus' parables were about the Kingdom. He gave the secrets of the Kingdom to his apostles.

Paul preached the Kingdom

"And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more." (Acts 20:25).

Jesus called Men to preach the kingdom

"Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.'" (Luke 9:60)

Jesus Predicted the Continued Preaching of 'This Gospel of the Kingdom' until His Second Coming

"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).

Not only do we have Jesus and Paul as examples in this matter of preaching the Kingdom. We have the assurance from Jesus' own lips that this message of the kingdom should be preached 'as a witness' or 'with demonstration' to all the world. This is the main task we the church have.

What is the Kingdom of God?

Some view the Kingdom of God as an alternative term for "heaven", but Jesus taught that it could be in our midst on earth, and come to us now through His ministry - for example - the ministry of casting out demons by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). When Jesus spoke of entering the Kingdom he was not merely saying "going to heaven when you die". He was talking about entering into the Kingdom life here and now. This includes heaven later on, and whatever plans God may have for us on the new earth, but it is far more than that. The Kingdom of Heaven is not about "pie in the sky when you die".

The Kingdom of God is the place where Jesus is King. It is a spiritual, invisible kingdom which has made its presence felt to a degree in the affairs of this earth, but only to a limited extent. It is not confined to a particular geographical location, nor to a particular religious organisation. The Kingdom is truly present in a place to the extent that Christ is honored as Lord and his will done there.

There is an opposing kingdom at work. Jesus spoke of Satan's kingdom (Matthew 12:26). The Scripture declares that "the whole world lies under the sway of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). Satan is called "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4), "the prince of the power of the air" and "the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2). Satan, operating through a vast hierarchical network of fallen angels, evil spirits or demons as they are variously known, exercises a stupendous influence on the hearts and lives of men, women, boys and girls. The existence of Satan's kingdom accounts for the hatred, the wars, the stupidity and selfishness of mankind, the existence of false religions and philosophies and the presence of every kind of perversion and deception on the face of the earth. Satanic influence is very effective because it operates in the background, and is generally not openly displayed. It is almost always covered under another name or philosophy.

The kingdom of God is in perpetual conflict with the spiritual kingdom of Satan. These are the two spiritual kingdoms which dominate the affairs of mankind and influence the lives of multitudes. They are totally opposite in nature. There is no third kingdom. The kingdom of God only advances through the destruction of the works and influence of the devil.

What are the results of the Kingdom?

Paul said, "The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17). That is to say, God's kingdom in someone's heart will produce a state of righteousness before God, and the peace and joy of God will be known by that person. If people only understood and believed this, then they would make every effort to welcome the Kingdom of God into their lives, instead of looking in all the wrong places for the happiness and fulfilment they desire. This comment applies to Christians as well as unbelievers.

When Philip the evangelist preached Christ in Samaria, "there was great joy in the city" (Acts 8:8). Today we need such a manifestation of the Kingdom of God in our cities. The message of the Kingdom of God applies not only at the individual level, but also at every corporate level. The key to it is the kind of faith that recognises and esteems Jesus Christ as His presence above all else. Such faith esteems the Word of Christ above all other authorities, influences or suggestions. The result in every community is the practice of justice, mercy, love, faithfulness, favor and blessing. These are exactly the things that people in the world long for. Because the church has largely failed to demonstrate and to preach these things of the Kingdom people have been willing to look for them in other directions. Satan has thus been able to capture the hearts and minds of men with all kinds of false movements and philosophies such as communism, islam and the New Age movement.

Divine Healing is a Sign of the Kingdom

When God made Adam and Eve, no sickness was present. Sickness is a breakdown in the created order. When the body is no longer in divine order, sickness is the result. However, when the Kingdom of God manifests in a person's body, divine healing and health is the result. Every divine healing done through the power of the Holy Spirit is a manifestation of the Kingdom of G

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