Bible Study A Kingdom

[K2CHRIST]

Mark 1 :14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

John had preach the kingdom of God, and Jesus came preaching the 'gospel' [Good News] of the kingdom of God. So if Jesus 'came preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, it must have been a reason for Him coming!

We not only have a King, Jesus Christ, but if a king then a kingdom also!

There is my Lord, the King, and He speaks to me but not Him only. After He gave me ears to hear I not only hear from Him but He introduced me to a kingdom - angelic beings also. Certainly, if we indeed know a the King of kings and Lord of lords we would also come to know some of those in His kingdom. How could you not. And if He came then preaching/ proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God it is not different with Him now is it? And talking to Pilot about His kingdom of God, He said:

John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

So He has servants "not of this world"! I hear them. They minister to me. [ Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?] They certainly seem to me to be all ministering spirits.

Last night at church, during the Christmas eve service I took a seat and almost instantly I started hearing from a lot of angels. That is not all that unusual for me, but there were clearly a lot of them last night, and I was wondering why so many? Christmas, to my thinking, was about the Lord coming down from heaven and taking on flesh, yet the glory of all the angels I was picking up almost seemed to overshadow that. Yet as we sung the Christmas song and as the pastor brought the message of Christmas and Christ's coming the number of angels became more and more obvious. Where in the Bible do you find so many angels as in the Christmas story, and where do you find angels mentioned so much as in our Christmas songs?

I don't know why I had not understood this before, but I started realizing that He came to bring the Kingdom and tell us about it. That was His purpose in taking on flesh. Maybe there are other reasons, but bring a Kingdom, His Kingdom, of power and glory was why He came - that is why we read " Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God".

We have a kingdom of power filled with the glory of God, and they minister to you. It is in your midst. You have to know the King of or course. How else are you going to get into it so as to hear them ministering to you, but we should know both the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and the kings and lords not of this world that He sends to minister to you. We can and need to hear from the King and His kingdom, and that is good news indeed, isn't it?

 

[RevSRE]

What was the KINGDOM?
FAITH WAS NOT THEORY TO THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH! Faith was so real to them they would enter the arena to face wild animals or Soldiers intending to kill them and do so Singing Praises to God! The more the world tried to stop them the more they showed their LOVE for God. Their Love was so strong they moved the masses of people and changed the world. We today are still to Love God, our only responsibility is to God. We must obey Him and keep His Commandments, so purely that others will see Jesus in us.
When Jesus came He said “Change your mind” or “Change the way you think”, in other words stop disobeying me and ”Hear my voice, keep my commandments” Come near for the royal authority of God. What Jesus said is not so different from what had been said in the OT. Obey God keep his commandments and He will be your God, Jesus said Change the way you think, Obey Me, Come near the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

Please bear with me it does not say kingdom, it says kingdom authority.The word translated “Kingdom” is βασιλεία (basileia - Phonetic: bas-il-i'-ah). The Greek speaking people of the early Church would know βασιλεία was an abstract idea meaning the royal authority of a king.

A word for word translation of this verse is: Mt 4:17

"Change your mind and draw near for “the royal power of God”. Note in this verse the “draw near” is in reference to the one changing their mind not the “a kingdom or royal authority”. There is no grammatical reason the move the “draw near” to a “kingdom of Heaven”. Change your mind is “You” second person plural, Draw near “the ones changing” is third person singular. Royal authority of heaven is the object of the preposition “for” and first person singular.
"You change your mind the ones changing draw near for the royal power of God"
Mar 1:15
και λεγων οτι πεπληρωται ο καιρος και ηγγικεν η βασιλεια του θεου
and say that Filled is the time and Join to the Royal Power of God
μετανοειτε και πιστευετε εν τω ευαγγελιω
think differently and have faith in the good message

Mat 4:17
απο τοτε ηρξατο ο ιησους κηρυσσειν και λεγειν μετανοειτε
from then began Jesus to herald and say think differently
ηγγικεν γαρ η βασιλεία των ουρανων
come near for the royal power of heaven (God)

βασιλεία basileia
Thayer Greek Dictionary Definition: (11)
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom
The royal power of heaven is the power of the King of Kings, God's authority to rule over eternity. When changed by grace, children of God, we are heirs and joint heirs with Christ. He is the King there is only one King, yet as heirs we have the power (βασιλεία) of The King. When Christ said Mat 16:28 Truly I say to you, There are some standing here who shall not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Power. The word βασιλεία is used that is "Coming in His Royal Power."
For a Jew in the first century, the kingdom of God meant the restoration of the shekinah glory (3), the return from exile, and the defeat of Israel’s national enemies.4 But Jesus scandalously redefined these expectations. When Israel was taken into exile and Solomon’s temple destroyed, the dwelling of God’s shekinah glory was displaced from the Holy of Holies. The promise of the coming kingdom meant the restoration of the glorious presence. But when the second Temple was built, the shekinah glory never came. Jesus asserted that Herod’s construction was redundant, affirming that His own body was the true temple (Mt. 12:5; 26:61). The shekinah glory tabernacled among us (Jn. 1:14) and continues to inhabit the earth through God’s people (17:22).
http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/the-cry/the-cry-vol-11-no-2/what-do-we-mean-by-the-kingdom-of-god/
The ones saved by Grace and obeying Christ Lordship share and have that power. This is not some distant eventual result it is a present possession.
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Yes Israel was looking for a KING to sit on the throne of David, Yes the 3nd to 5rd century Church taught a Kingdom that the clergy controlled, but, that is not what the early Church know or taught. Some 79 times in the Old Testament God said “Hear my voice, and Keep My Commandments, and I will be your God and you will be My People.” Jesus came and said much the same thing, Change the way you think, (Change your mind from self to obeying ME), Come to Me for the Royal Power of God the King. Look at history there is no “Kingdom” outside the Church, We are discussing the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus. The 3nd to 5rd century Clergy usurped the teaching to increase their power over people.

God gave to His People (every one saved by GRACE, OT Remnant and the NT Church) the position of the Nation Israel. The Nation Israel lost its place by disobeying God, by Changing the way we think (stop disobeying God) and walking according to His Rule (keep His Commandments) the position is given to the ones saved by grace.

Jesus taught a simple gospel, it dealt with the needs of real people. He told us how to see and deal with real problems. Jesus said He was the way to Life Eternal. Jesus teaching was to follow Him and Know God, He would be the way to Life.

The early Church was just this practical simple and loving. Meetings in Homes were to support and hold up each member of the group. They all were family, the family of God.

We do not need the later generations to tell us who Jesus was, Prophets for told it, Angels announced it, Simeon and Anna praised Him, Peter knew, even the demons Jesus cast out knew, He was the Son the God.

It was later men seeking control of masses that try to say He is only human, or He is only God.

The early Church knew Jesus was the God-Man. God the Son born on earth Totally Eternal God, and Totally man.

The early church was much like ours today it was made up of some people very serious and dedicated to Jesus, there were some that believed to a degree but lacked the fire of deep devotion, and there were some that saw the new church as a way to profit or get ahead. There were many struggles and errors on the way to becoming the church we know. By the year 180 to 200ad the books of the bible were established and widely known. The elders of the early churches agreed on a standard for the “inspired books” they had to be written by an apostle or someone working with the apostle. The adoption of formal “Cannon of Scripture” years later was to stop heresy from being added to the Bible. There were several groups that wanted control of the church, some of the early church disagreements were over power.

The early Church met in homes in small groups where everyone was equal in Christ. They knew Jesus as a man, and they knew Him as Christ the Son of God. They lived dedicated lives “Living in the Spirit, Pure and Holy was real to them. So real they would die before rejecting Christ.

Paul taught there is only one way to be saved. (13) He spent seven chapters of Romans discussing there is no difference in who or how to be saved. The Jews as chosen people, the seed of Abraham had no special favor. Paul called this the Mystery revealed to the Apostles. All are saved by Grace. Old Testament faith heroes of Hebrews 11, The Greek or Barbarian all are saved by Grace through Faith. The law was never the way. Grace leads to Living in the Spirit, A life In Christ, Rejecting the world and the things of the world looking to a higher calling. The Mystery is simple all are saved by Grace, God in His mercy provides the gift of Grace allowing us to by faith be saved. When we are saved, we stop disobeying God and yield to His position as Lord, we are indwelled by God the Holy Spirit. We are adopted into the family of God. We have the "Power of the Living God".

The early Church knew this and living in the world were not a part of the world. They were separate and often misunderstood because of this. Ro.11:25 Col 1:27

 

[K2CHRIST]

What was the KINGDOM?

What was the KINGDOM?

Is that the question we are asking?

Mat 21:43 [NASB] Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.

The above should be an extremely scary verse to us. It means that some have had the kingdom of God taken away from them! In that case it might be natural for them to ask, 'What was the Kingdom of God', because they don't have it. ' But a believer should have it. If you have the King, how can you not have access to the Kingdom?

It is written, 'all those who seek find'

Prov 8:18 “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

And what are we seeking if not the King of kings and His kingdom?

Mat 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

So if we seek the His kingdom we find it, and if found we are not asking 'What is was' but talking about what it is.

That is why I wrote in the OP :

We not only have a King, Jesus Christ, but if a king then a kingdom also!

We not only have a King, but also a kingdom. Yet I wrote that because I find many people asking, 'What was it', instead of 'What is it. ' Going - "What was it?" is not seeking it - going - "What is it?" is seeking the Kingdom of God. So according to the Bible and it's telling us to seek first His kingdom; what question are we to be asking "Today"?

My friends, we need to be studying the Bible to apply it to our lives "Today".

I get up on the morning and have a time with My Lord. I start that time with the Lord's prayer, with a few other things, then listen. We know the first thing asked for in the Lord's prayer is "Thy Kingdom Come". That is' The Lord told us to ask/seek first for the Kingdom of God.

Then, when I listen I hear from the Father, after all it is the Kingdom of God. He often reminds me to listen to the Son, just like He said on the mountain, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased, "Listen to Him". Then I try to remember to listen to the Son whose name is called 'The Word of God' because we hear from Him. I pick all this up through the Spirit of God, who does not speak on His own initiative, but what He hears He speaks, kind of like a living telephone line. It's like David who in the Spirit wrote "The Lord said to my Lord". So I hear my Lord who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Because He is the King of kings, and I can hear with my spiritual ears, thanks to Him, He often sends those under Him to minister to me also. So I know some of those heavenly beings that serve Him, because they minister to me and apparently watch over me. If they minister to you and watch over you wouldn't you have to know them? I do.

Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Ps 91:11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.

So I can not ask, 'What was it', but I do wonder what is it? I hear, but that's inside me. I get ministered to, but where is it coming from? I can't touch it, be it sometimes seems to be able to touch me. It seems spiritual or heavenly, but then I also can hear evil and need to discern between good and evil. So I have questions about what it is, and that leads me to reading about what those in the past thought it was. So I study the sacred writings, the Bible, to find out what was said about the Kingdom of God, but that because of what it is to me 'today'.

 

[K2CHRIST]

When Christ came down out of heaven and was born in the flesh, a kingdom showed up!! Angels were being seen by people. Jesus Christ had people casting out demons and telling them the kingdom of God came close. So if we were born again and now have Christ in us, did we not also find the kingdom of God showed up? Have we not been seeing angels and are we not preaching the kingdom while healing the sick and casting out demons?

Ok, the Lord has often gotten on to me about not hearing and seeing more with my spiritual ears and eyes. He has often gotten on to me about me working better with the angels He sends. Still I pray 'Thy Kingdom Come', and it does. Of course it does. I have found it, and it is like a peril of great value. Those angels are smart. And it grows to where the birds/angels of the air nest in it. It is just like it is written in the Bible. So, I preach the Kingdom of God, which means we get a King, Jesus Christ, and a kingdom, the Kingdom of God. And concerning the angels, they are all ministering spirit sent by my Lord.

So I got things ministered to me, like:

"There was a big strong ant carrying a big load to the top of a large hill, and at the same time there was a little boy looking down on a small ant hill. Then the boy just decided to jump right on top of it for fun. What is your view point of the kingdom of God?"

Don't we need to become like that little boy to get into the kingdom of God?

 

[RevSRE]

WHAT WAS THE KINGDOM! That is what I ment to say!
THE WORD IS NOT a nation ruled by a King. it is the POWER of the King.
Please bear with me it does not say kingdom, it says kingdom authority.The word translated “Kingdom” is βασιλεία (basileia - Phonetic: bas-il-i'-ah). The Greek speaking people of the early Church would know βασιλεία was an abstract idea meaning the royal authority of a king.

A word for word translation of this verse is: Mt 4:17

"Change your mind and draw near for “the royal power of God”

Read the post!

 

[for_his_glory]

John's mission was to call others to repentance for the kingdom of God is at hand. The kingdom of God was Jesus who came to John that day to be baptized as the heavens opened and God's Spirit fell upon Him giving Jesus all power, authority, righteous judgement and strength here on earth to begin His ministry.

Jesus is the living word and light that shines in the darkness, John 1:1-11. He came in the form of man to seek and save the lost as He went about being the gospel of good news as He taught God's plan of salvation by His grace. The kingdom of God does not come with observation as the kingdom of God is within all who by faith believe in Jesus, Luke 17:20-21. They kingdom come, (within us) they will be done on earth (kingdom within us) as it is in the kingdom of heaven.

John 18:36 Jesus was speaking about His disciples, not angels, as being His servants. If this earth was His kingdom then the disciples, being His servants here on earth, would not of had any reason to fight for Him. If this earth was His kingdom He would have no need to suffer and die as there is no sin in His kingdom.

Hebrews 1:13, 14 reiterates what Jesus was saying in John 18:36. Angels are servants of God in the heavenly realm as they are sent out as ministering angels, but will never sit at the right hand of Jesus. Matthew 25:33 does say we who are His sheep will be set at His right hand. Angels have no enemies, but are sent out to battle the enemies of God and minister to His own.

 

[K2CHRIST]

WHAT WAS THE KINGDOM! That is what I ment to say!
THE WORD IS NOT a nation ruled by a King. it is the POWER of the King.
Please bear with me it does not say kingdom, it says kingdom authority.The word translated “Kingdom” is βασιλεία (basileia - Phonetic: bas-il-i'-ah). The Greek speaking people of the early Church would know βασιλεία was an abstract idea meaning the royal authority of a king.

A word for word translation of this verse is: Mt 4:17

"Change your mind and draw near for “the royal power of God”

Read the post!

THE WORD IS THE CHRIST

Rev 19:13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called THE WORD OF GOD.

Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
Jn 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us....

So the word of the Lord Abram saw and spoke to Abram in the vision was the Christ.

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram saying.....

And the Word is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Rev 19:13 And on His robe and His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

So the Christ, [The Word of God} is the King and He has a kingdom which is made up of Kings and Lords who serve Him. But His kingdom is not of this world!

Jn 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world...

Yet through Jesus Christ we can enter into this kingdom.

Jn 10:9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

And His sheep hear His voice.

Jn 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

And His has angels watch over them.

Ps 91:11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.

And He sends them to minister to them.

Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation.

And those sheep hear the sound of the wind and testify about what they hear.

Jn 3:11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, ....

But some don't accept our testimony

Jn 3:11 ... and you do not accept our testimony

So it is that I can not think of the Kingdom as something that was, it to me is something that is because I hear from the King and the ministering angels He sends to minister to me. And I testify to that. Did I not already provide a little saying about the ant and little boy that I hear from an angel?

So I am amazed when listening to some who are called "Christians" and do not testify to hearing from those, not of this world, that serve the Lord as part of His kingdom. Are they new Christians who have not yet been introduced by their Lord [Jesus Christ] to the kingdom?

I can understand that some are too new to understand. But some present themselves as experts and still ask what was the kingdom of God. It is as if the King and His kingdom was in some far off place called heaven.

Rm 10:6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is to bring Christ down)

Or perhaps they are thinking the King is dead.

Rm 10:7 or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is to bring Christ up from the dead)."

They should know that our Lord (The Word of God) is with us, and He comes with His kingdom. So the Word of God we preach is near us.

Rm 10:8 but what does is say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, in your mouth and in your heart" - that is, the word of faith which we are preaching.

Indeed, I find the Word of God, [Jesus Christ] in me. Just like Abram found the word speaking to him is his vision. And He, The Word of God, has a kingdom which I find comes with Him.

So like when Christ came in the flesh on Christmas day, angels appeared in His coming, so too when the Christ came into my life angels also appeared in His coming. So I preach the kingdom of God, to mean we have a king, even the King of kings. And this One whose name is called "THE WORD OF GOD", speaks to me and I hear Him inside me. He gives me teachings and instructions, so I call Him Lord because He is my Lord who instructs me, and I know He instructs the angels that serve Him also, because they tell me so and call Him Lord also. So He is my Lord and the Lord of lords! That is what He is, and not what He was.

So how can anyone ask what was the Kingdom of God?

It sounds like they didn't change their mind and draw near the King and His kingdom.

Change your mind and draw near

There were some people like that.

Is 29:13 Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote.

We don't want to be like them. We want to make sure that doesn't happen to those around us. So we don't want to present the Kingdom of God as something that was, but as it being near. We can hear from the Lord and His kingdom, now!!

That being the case - isn't the best way to find out about the kingdom of God is to seek it first?? We need to start our asking by asking God for "Thy Kingdom come" and believe it does come now! And if we believe that we listen now, Today!

It would also be good to read the Holy writings about it, but we are never asking what is was but what it is! Indeed, if you know that it is, that must be what you are asking.

What is this kingdom that I hear from? That is what I am learning! And I hear there is so much to learn about it. I get teachings, I get ministered to. I see the power in this Kingdom of God. I hear, I follow. And I see people healed. I have prayed for (per instructions to me from my Lord) and seen hundreds get healing. I have see demons cast out. Still, I hear there is so much more to know about it. Everyday I hear more.

So how can someone who knows this King and His kingdom be asking what was the kingdom of God???

Maybe there is an answer, but if that is the answer they need to understand the problem so that they might turn to the King, Today, and start listening to Him. It must be explained, in case. Jesus explained something to some, even some who knew and were experts on the sacred writings of old.

Jn 8:43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word.

There were some then who were studying the sacred writings and looking for the Christ but did not recognized Him though He was standing in front of them. Yet today Jesus stands and the door and knocks with His voice, and perhaps there are still some who do not recognize Him and still looking for His coming, so that they look to what the Kingdom was instead of what it is.

 

[K2CHRIST]

John 18:36 Jesus was speaking about His disciples, not angels, as being His servants. If this earth was His kingdom then the disciples, being His servants here on earth, would not of had any reason to fight for Him. If this earth was His kingdom He would have no need to suffer and die as there is no sin in His kingdom.

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

I generally loved your post "for_his_glory" however, how did you conclude that Jesus was not talking about angels but His disciples? His "disciples" were there and not in some other world, and His disciples were not fighting, with the possible exception of Peter who used a sword to take off someone's ear. There was also something said about all falling away! If that was the case then none of His disciples were His servants at that time! It also seems you have implied that it would be a sin to protect your King. Is that the case? That would make for an interesting discussion, but not for now.

So while I generally liked you post, I have to different on who the Lord was talking about as being His servants "not of this world", for a number of reason. All His disciples had fallen away, according the Bible, so they were not serving Him at that time! His disciples were clearly in the world at that time. So the mere fact that they were indeed there and could have been fighting to prevent Him from being delivered to the others Jews but were not fighting, shows they were not being referred to by Jesus.

Still, there is one other things that does make sense to me. And that is simply that I hear from the ministering angels that He sends to mister to me. And it is clear that they serve Him and are not of this physical realm. So I don't understand how someone hearing them doesn't automatically conclude they were who Jesus was talking about sense they are clearly not of this world so as to fight in a physical sense? And it was clear that Jesus was going to die on the cross and ascend into heaven and be back on the throne in heaven, which is where we see Him today. So obviously He is the King in the Kingdom of God which is not of this world and He is served by angelic beings there. We now that, so that must have been what He was talking about.

Too often I seem to run across people that just don't understand about His kingdom, and I can only attribute it to not seeking it.

 

[K2CHRIST]

Sadly, it seems that most Christians that I talk to don't hear much with their spiritual ears. If so, they are not going to be aware of the Kingdom of God.

Is 6:1 In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple

Have we seen this with our spiritual eyes?

Is 6:3 And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth in full of His glory.

Have we heard this?

This has not changed!!! On Christmas eve, during the service, when I was picking up all the angels, I heard them singing "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord" at one point. It of course was not surprising to me. I had heard it before. I didn't include it in the OP, for that reason. But did anyone else, of the thousand of so at that service hear it? I don't know. Probably not. May some. But probably not any who were asking what was the Kingdom of God, and probably not any who were thinking the people in the service were the Kingdom of God.

It is written that we will be like the angels in heaven, so a time is coming. But we can enter in now, and we can come and go.

Jn 10:9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

 

[for_his_glory]

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

I generally loved your post "for_his_glory" however, how did you conclude that Jesus was not talking about angels but His disciples? His "disciples" were there and not in some other world, and His disciples were not fighting, with the possible exception of Peter who used a sword to take off someone's ear. There was also something said about all falling away! If that was the case then none of His disciples were His servants at that time! It also seems you have implied that it would be a sin to protect your King. Is that the case? That would make for an interesting discussion, but not for now.

So while I generally liked you post, I have to different on who the Lord was talking about as being His servants "not of this world", for a number of reason. All His disciples had fallen away, according the Bible, so they were not serving Him at that time! His disciples were clearly in the world at that time. So the mere fact that they were indeed there and could have been fighting to prevent Him from being delivered to the others Jews but were not fighting, shows they were not being referred to by Jesus.

Still, there is one other things that does make sense to me. And that is simply that I hear from the ministering angels that He sends to mister to me. And it is clear that they serve Him and are not of this physical realm. So I don't understand how someone hearing them doesn't automatically conclude they were who Jesus was talking about sense they are clearly not of this world so as to fight in a physical sense? And it was clear that Jesus was going to die on the cross and ascend into heaven and be back on the throne in heaven, which is where we see Him today. So obviously He is the King in the Kingdom of God which is not of this world and He is served by angelic beings there. We now that, so that must have been what He was talking about.

Too often I seem to run across people that just don't understand about His kingdom, and I can only attribute it to not seeking it.

We agree Jesus kingdom is not of this world, but yet to those who are His own and indwelled with the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of God dwells within them, Luke 17:20, 21. If you are Spiritually born again then you have been risen with Christ through that of the Spiritual rebirth as we are no longer of this world and seek those things from above where Christ sits at the right hand of God in His heavenly kingdom, Colossians 3:1-4.

The ministering angels do minister to us as Jesus sends them to us. I never said angels are of the physical earthly realm, but only sent down to us for the purpose of ministering to us.

John 18:36 is speaking about His disciples and not angels. The disciples did run away from Jesus when He was arrested as they feared they would be arrested as being His servants because Jesus had already given them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, plus 72 other men that He sent out to preach, Matthew 10:1-4; Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-24.

 

[K2CHRIST]

We agree Jesus kingdom is not of this world, but yet to those who are His own and indwelled with the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of God dwells within them, Luke 17:20, 21. If you are Spiritually born again then you have been risen with Christ through that of the Spiritual rebirth as we are no longer of this world and seek those things from above where Christ sits at the right hand of God in His heavenly kingdom, Colossians 3:1-4.

The ministering angels do minister to us as Jesus sends them to us. I never said angels are of the physical earthly realm, but only sent down to us for the purpose of ministering to us.

John 18:36 is speaking about His disciples and not angels. The disciples did run away from Jesus when He was arrested as they feared they would be arrested as being His servants because Jesus had already given them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, plus 72 other men that He sent out to preach, Matthew 10:1-4; Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-24.

When Jesus told Pilot that His kingdom was not of this world He had not gone to the cross. We have records of some like Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel of seeing the kingdom in heaven and they don't record seeing people. However, after the cross we get an account from John in Revelation, in which we now have an account of people being there. So by those accounts, and by the realization that all His disciple had fallen away, and by considering the cross must have accomplished something, and by the fact that His disciples were still in this world and there to be able to fight - all point to thinking that Jesus was referring to His disciples and not the angelic being which the prophets of old saw around the throne of God.

And if all that didn't make sense to a person, which it should, then there is the fact that we ourselves are supposed to have angels sent to minister to us, and have angels watching over us, and thus aware of them, like the prophets of old. Clearly those spiritual beings seen around the throne of God by the prophets of old were serving the King and were indeed not of this world so as to not be able to fight in a physical sense when Jesus was talking to Pilot.

One things that amazes me, as I talk to other Christians, is the few in number that seem to hear from angelic beings with any regularity. It seems most Christian today, still look to the flesh or physical so must that they have trouble seeing and hearing in the spirit regularly. So it is not surprising that we first think of the Kingdom of God of consisting of people still in the flesh, but it should be surprising we think that way.

Even the people that John saw and gives and account of in Revelation do not appear to be people who were currently in the flesh but had died and ascended into heaven, where the Kingdom of God is. Of course the Kingdom of God is in our midst, so I agree with many Christians who belief it is perhaps dimensional.

Hugh Ross has some excellent writings on that subject. While we don't know, that would explain who the Kingdom of God could be in our midst but not of this world. It might also explain why Jesus said "he will be saved, and will go in and out". It would mean the Kingdom of God is a location but not of this realm. It would explain how we could be of it but not in it. Angels are both in it and off it.

Anyone praying thy Kingdom come and having angels ministering to them and watching over them and thus aware of those spiritual being who are not in or of this world, should under this and it seems Jesus was explaining this to Pilot. Jesus was telling Pilot that He was a kingdom was not of this physical world. Jesus was explaining that if it was they [and that had to be all those in His kingdom - including angelic being] would be there fighting for Him.

So I wonder why is it that some don't understand what I am saying. It really seems it must be that they are not hearing the words of God. I mean, God is spirit and He communicates to us with His Spirit speaking to our spirit. Yet He, the Spirit of God, is not the only spirit though, and if we have ears to hear we can certainly hear other spirits also. So we could pick up and evil spirit, and discernment is needed then. But there are more with us than against us, so it would be more likely that we would actually hear from an angel that serves the Lord than a spirit that doesn't, and especially if we are passing in and out of the Kingdom of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And especially if He sends His Spirit and His angels to minister to us.

I want to talk to others about the Kingdom of God, but it seems before I can talk about it I have to explain the Kingdom of God first. It must be that God's people are not, as a whole, seeking the Kingdom first like instructed.


Yesterday I was driving and decided to use my spiritual eyes. As soon as I started looking I saw an angel riding on the back of a flat bed pickup truck, which appeared to belong to a gardener, because of the lawnmower and other tools on it. The angel had His feet over the back of the truck and was looking at me driving behind the truck. The truck then started to turn into the mobile home park where I lived. Suddenly the angel looked down with concern at the bump coming up. At the same time the driver slowed down and taking care to not shake his tools too much, too the bump softly. So it looked like the angel might fall off but he didn't.

Then the angel started speaking to me, which I could pick up inside me. The angel told me that he was ok.... Then he started telling me that many people tended to keep him in the back and looking behind them instead of having him sitting next to them in the front while talking to him. The problem was that any little bump in the man made road could knock him off.

Spiritually speaking, isn't that how we keep the kingdom of God. They maybe in our midst but they are kept somewhere in the back look away from us, when they should be kept up front next to us and we should be seeking them first!

 

[for_his_glory]

K2CHRIST

No one that has ever died have gone up to heaven. It is only our breath/spirit that God breathed in us making us a living soul that returns back to God who gave it.

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Ecc 12:7 then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

The kingdom of God is within those of the Spiritual rebirth and indwelled with the Holy Spirit as we are no longer of this world, but seek those Spiritual things from above as we are risen with Christ, Colossians 3:1-4.

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

God will not always be in the third heaven as when all things are finished here on earth God will purify the heaven and earth making it new again then He will usher down the New Jerusalem (Spiritual Kingdom of God). God will then be with us as the tabernacle of God is with men and He will dwell with us and we with Him forever. For now the kingdom of God is within us as we are made kings and priest of God as we reign with Christ here on earth until the seventh trumpet sounds and then the nations (kingdoms) of this world become the nations (kingdoms) of God and of Christ and He will be our God and we His people forever.

The tabernacle of God within the New Jerusalem is not that which is made by hand as neither is the New Jerusalem. When we are given spiritual bodies (glorified bodies) then we will see all things of God that are spiritual for in our mortal bodies we can not even perceive what the New Jerusalem will look like just as we can not even know what Christ looks like, but know we will be just like Him in our glorified bodies.

Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev 5:10 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (We are the Spiritual Kingdom of God on earth)

Rev 11: 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (We are that Spiritual kingdom of God while here on earth as we reign with Him over the nations)

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

 

[K2CHRIST]

No one that has ever died have gone up to heaven. It is only our breath/spirit that God breathed in us making us a living soul that returns back to God who gave it.

Well, our spirit and soul - but all flesh is like grass and fades away. Yet not all men go to heaven. There is another place and neither of this world, and God's Kingdom is not of this world, and Jesus Christ is King. That is why Jesus Christ told Pilot that His kingdom was not of this world. However at the time He had said that to Pilot, His disciples had all fallen away, to fulfill the prophecy and accomplish the purpose of God. So His disciple were not part of His kingdom both because they had fallen away and because they were still in the flesh!

Still, Jesus was a king! Still Jesus had a kingdom not of this world! That kingdom still exists and is what we need to be seeking, even seeking first. And those who seek find.

Rev 11: 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (We are that Spiritual kingdom of God while here on earth as we reign with Him over the nations)

Is the above not prophecy. If the kingdoms of this world have already become the kingdoms of our Lord, then why the wars and problems of this world? Not yet are all serving the Lord! However, things are being set at His feet, and Jesus also explained (as I have pointed out a couple times already) "he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

As believers, we tend to go in and out of the kingdom. That may have applied to His disciples at the time Jesus talked to Pilot, but if so they were out at that moment. And it seems like many spend more time out of His kingdom than in His kingdom. That is: we don't really tend to spend a lot of out time actually seeking the King and His kingdom, do we?

If we did, we would be much more aware of the Kingdom of God that is in our midst! We talk to our husband or wife but how often to our Lord. We talk to and listen to our friends but what about the angels sent to minister to us. We give it all lip service, but where are the actual testimonies and the understanding.

I like looking through the bible but if I read Jn 3:11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

I hear from My Lord [the King] but not only Him but He sends angels to minister to Me, just like written [Heb 1:14] So I know a kingdom that is not of this world, because it is obviously a spiritual kingdom. I can talk to and see it sometimes, even when I seek it, but I am still in the flesh and still walk to and fro, or more like I drive a car. So perhaps I am of this kingdom, but I am not in it. Not yet! And neither is my pastor, or any people who I have heard preaching, not anyone whose writings I have read on this forum. They are at best, like me and spend time talking back and forth with the King and those ministering angels that serve Him. But often it does not seem like that is the case either. How do they say and write what they say and write. It seem they often have head knowledge but no experience.

Things are being set at the feet of Jesus, but clearly this world as a whole has not been set at His feet yet!!

If anyone is thinking "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." is something that has already happened and not still something in the future, it is clear to me that they are not listening to those angels that serve the Lord. It is clear because what those ministering angel seem to most minister about is getting people to turn to their, Lord Jesus Christ. Apparently they have always been trying to do that, but people don't listen.

Rm 10:18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; 'THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD."

Ps 19:4,5 There is not speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun.

So at the time of the writing of the Psalms and at the time of Paul writings, the angel were not being listening too, and it seems no different today. Yet a day will come, and we can start making that day "Today", but what have you heard "Today". Have you heard from you the King and His kingdom "Today"?

Can the whole world say yes? Can even most Christians say yes to knowing angels? I have a Lord and I know some angels as friends, just like I know some people as friends. Frankly, the angels make better friends, but I need my wife, kids, and the friends I have in this world also. I am still part of and in this world, and the Kingdom of God is clearly not of this world. I maybe and seem to also be part of that world too, but at best I go in and out of it!

 

[for_his_glory]

K2CHRIST

I never said the kingdom of God is on this present earth. Of course it is a Spiritual kingdom that is within us who are of Christ through the Spiritual rebirth and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

Do we keep seeking that which we have found? No, if we have found it then we need to cling to it, grow in it and learn as much as we can of the kingdom of God.

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

None have ever literally seen God's kingdom that is in the third heaven as it is within the Spiritual realm of God without observation of man literally seeing it. We can only experience God's presence in our own life through that of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.

Angels are messengers of God as they carry out a variety of task that include:
Worship and praise - This is the main activity portrayed in heaven (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4-5).

Revealing - They serve as messengers to communicate God's will to men. They helped reveal the law to Moses (Acts 7:52-53), and served as the carriers of much of the material in Daniel, and Revelation.

Guiding - Angels gave instructions to Joseph about the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1-2), to the women at the tomb, to Philip (Acts 8:26), and to Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8).

Providing - God has used angels to provide physical needs such as food for Hagar (Genesis 21:17-20), Elijah (1 Kings 19:6), and Christ after His temptation (Matthew 4:11).

Protecting - Keeping God's people out of physical danger, as in the cases of Daniel and the lions, and his three friends in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3 and 6).

Delivering - Getting God's people out of danger once they're in it. Angels released the apostles from prison in Acts 5, and repeated the process for Peter in Acts 12.

Strengthening and encouraging - Angels strengthened Jesus after His temptation (Matt 4:11), encouraged the apostles to keep preaching after releasing them from prison (Acts 5:19-20), and told Paul that everyone on his ship would survive the impending shipwreck (Acts 27:23-25).

Answering prayer - God often uses angels as His means of answering the prayers of His people (Daniel 9:20-24; 10:10-12; Acts 12:1-17).

You never know when and where and angel of God will show up and as Hebrews 13:2 says be careful for you never know when you are entertaining angels unaware.

 

[K2CHRIST]

Do we keep seeking that which we have found? No, if we have found it then we need to cling to it, grow in it and learn as much as we can of the kingdom of God.

No is the wrong answer!!!

And this is a major problem in the church today. We don't do what Jesus Christ asks? We don't seek first the Kingdom of God! We say to ourselves, 'awe I found it, then we forget about it.' That is not seeking first the Kingdom of God!

Mat 6:6 - 10 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret.... Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done...

If "No" is the correct answer to "Do we keep seeking that which we have found?" Then you have no need to pray anymore.

Of course we don't think that is the case. We do understand that we need to pray, but prayer is seeking God, and the first thing sought for in the Lord's Prayer is the kingdom of God!

And further more. If we are really praying for it and we mean what we are praying, are we not going to use our spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear it?

It is written that if you seek you find. So what did you find. Tell me. I like stories about the Lord and His kingdom, because it is a kingdom that ministers to you and it is a kingdom of power. And we have a door to that kingdom but some don't know about the power or the counsel available. Some are still saying to themselves, 'awe I found it and must have it' but that is not the same as seeking it.

Mat 6:33,4 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own

Do you see in the above verse about the day we are to seek the kingdom? It is not tomorrow, we seek the Kingdom first tomorrow also, but the day to seek the kingdom is today, and each day. We have a king and He a kingdom not of this world but of angelic beings and so of power. There are more with us than against us. Today we seek the King, and so today He sends ministering angels to guard over you. But if you are not seeking it "Today" have you not already harden your hearts?

Heb 3:7,8 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME"

Heb 1:7 And of the angels He says, "WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE"

Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Ps 91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty .... He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.

So we have King, the King of kings, and He never leaves us. He stands at the door and knocks with His voice, so 'TODAY' we need to seek the King and He has a kingdom with angels He sends to guard you and minister to you. They are winds and ministers of fire. And we are told to seek the kingdom first and thus to pray for it to come, whenever we pray! Yet some apparently have hardened their hearts and have provoked the Lord at least on some day called "Today".

As for me, I am a man and I see I should be a better man. Too many times I feel rebellious, and I know that about me. So I make it a habit of praying to the Father in the morning and so I seek first the kingdom of God. It is what I pray for - first! And since I pray for it, I remind myself to seek it. And when I seek it, I find it. I thus hear from My Lord and wind up hearing from those angelic ministering spirits of fire.

I hear the wind and I testify to it. I have already put specific things that I have been told by angels on this thread, but who else has?

Jn 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Jn 3:11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony.

So I hear and I testify about the King and His kingdom. I tell of what I have heard and seen. And because of what I have seen and heard, I seek the kingdom day after day, even though I am just a man of unclean lips. With my spiritual eyes I can see them, if I seek them. With my spiritual ears I can hear from them (the King and His kingdom) if I seek to hear from them. Or I can ignore them and go about my business, tell myself I once found the Kingdom and have "No" need to seek it anymore.

So - "Do we keep seeking that which we have found?"

Many say "No", I suggest you rethink that and seek first the kingdom of God everyday called "Today" and do not harden your heart, but rather open your ears to what God has for you! He has for you a heavenly kingdom!

 

[K2CHRIST]

None have ever literally seen God's kingdom that is in the third heaven as it is within the Spiritual realm of God without observation of man literally seeing it. We can only experience God's presence in our own life through that of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.

Is it that "None have ever literally seen God's kingdom"?

Is 6:1 In the year of King Uzzah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne...

Was Isaiah lying?

The problem is that the kingdom of God is not of this world or realm. It is a heavenly or spiritual kingdom. So you have to see it with your spiritual eyes, but you can see it.

Perhaps what was meant is that none have ever seen it with their physical eyes! That would be true. But if we are seeking the Kingdom of God we would understand that, right? I mean, Isaiah wrote that he say it and not that none have ever literally seen it. To say that none have ever literally seen the kingdom when those who wrote the Bible wrote that they did see it, is to be in conflict with what was written.

However, Isaiah also have more to write about our seeing and hearing, and ever in the same chapter and even directly per the Lord.

Is 6:9 He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand."

We have physical eyes inside our heads and we see the physical world which is in our midst with them. In the same say, we have spiritual eyes in us in which we can see the spiritual realm which is in our midst. Now we are much better at seeing with our physical eyes, simply because we use them regularly to seek out the physical realm. And we are poor at seeing with our spiritual eyes because we don't seek to see with them. We keep on looking but we do not understand. Isn't it because we don't seek first the kingdom of God but the physical realm around us?

 

[K2CHRIST]

Angels are messengers of God as they carry out a variety of task that include:
Worship and praise - This is the main activity portrayed in heaven (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4-5).

Revealing - They serve as messengers to communicate God's will to men. They helped reveal the law to Moses (Acts 7:52-53), and served as the carriers of much of the material in Daniel, and Revelation.

Guiding - Angels gave instructions to Joseph about the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1-2), to the women at the tomb, to Philip (Acts 8:26), and to Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8).

Providing - God has used angels to provide physical needs such as food for Hagar (Genesis 21:17-20), Elijah (1 Kings 19:6), and Christ after His temptation (Matthew 4:11).

Protecting - Keeping God's people out of physical danger, as in the cases of Daniel and the lions, and his three friends in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3 and 6).

Delivering - Getting God's people out of danger once they're in it. Angels released the apostles from prison in Acts 5, and repeated the process for Peter in Acts 12.

Strengthening and encouraging - Angels strengthened Jesus after His temptation (Matt 4:11), encouraged the apostles to keep preaching after releasing them from prison (Acts 5:19-20), and told Paul that everyone on his ship would survive the impending shipwreck (Acts 27:23-25).

Answering prayer - God often uses angels as His means of answering the prayers of His people (Daniel 9:20-24; 10:10-12; Acts 12:1-17).

You never know when and where and angel of God will show up and as Hebrews 13:2 says be careful for you never know when you are entertaining angels unaware.

I like the above part of the post. We do see accounts in the Bible of angels actively involved. And I especially like the part "You never know when and where and angel of God will show up and as Hebrews 13:2 says be careful for you never know when you are entertaining angels unaware"

Of course it is not quite right to say "You never know" because Heb 13:2 is telling us to be careful. " some have entertained angels without knowing it." - note that it doesn't say everyone entertained angels without knowing it, but only that "some". We don't want to be that some. We need to pay more attention, else we be that some. And if the Word of God can be found on your lips, we then need to consider it if we are saying "You never know". It might be the Lord trying to draw attention to a problem, in that perhaps some "never know?" "You never know", could be an expression of your faith, and it is not the expression of faith the author of Hebrews had in writing "some have entertained angels without knowing it."

We see a similar but more impactful warning from Jesus

Mat 18:10 See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

It seems that some people might misinterpret what was actually being said in Heb 13:2. That is, angels are in heaven, as Jesus Christ noted. However since the watch over people you might be entertaining them unaware when you meet a person. By looking at the two verses [Mat 18:10, and Heb 13:2] we get a better idea of what is going on. And I have a question. Have you ever used your spiritual eyes when meeting people. It becomes quite interesting.

I have done that and I should do it a lot more. I have to confess that the Lord has often told me He wants me using my spiritual eyes more. I find it very weird, so I don't like to use my spiritual eyes like I should, but because He often tells me I do sometimes use them.

Just a couple of weeks ago I was in a prayer room and watching a couple of large angels around a girl of about 18. I was wondering what I was seeing and started a conversation with the Lord about it. He told me she was the daughter of a woman who was also in the prayer room, but I didn't see angels around her at the time. So I continued to ask the Lord about them. He reminded me of Mat 18:10, and started telling me they were her angels in heaven and were watching over her. I asked Him if she even knew she had them, and the Lord told me that she didn't know about them. He did say that her mom had an idea about them and knew about His kingdom.

So I talked to her about them and ask if she knew about them, but she didn't, just like the Lord had already explained to me. So I told her we not only had a King but a kingdom, and that she should asked her mom about the kingdom of God, because she knew about it. Her mom had come a bit closer and heard the last part, and I could tell by the smile on her face that her mom did indeed know about the kingdom of God, We should too. We should not be saying "You never know", but should be saying, "We need to know."

 

[K2CHRIST]

There is a question people seem to have about angels that usually goes, 'have you ever seen one.' Because we are in this physical world they mean that question to mean 'have you ever seen one in the physical realm?'

Can angels manifest from the spiritual to the physical? I am not sure. I even wonder about one event in my life where someone asked by for some money then seem to just disappear. I went looking for that person right as he was turning the corner around a building, but he wasn't there. Was he an angel that had manifested? I don't know what happened for sure, but I though about this question and concluded that it has to be one of the least important questions ever come up with. Because angels are around us!! So whether they can manifest or not, what differences does it make. They are there. We just don't pay attention, and that is the important part.

2 Kings 16:7 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

It seems we are like that servant of Elisha who was afraid of the opposing arming while being completely unaware of the kingdom of God. We are afraid of demons and look for them, but don't even see that there are more with us than against us! And the reason is that we are not seeing with our spiritual eyes like we should. We are not seeking the Kingdom of God and that first!

How many times do Christians start saying, "Wow, I am under attack." but seem to have no idea of where there help comes from? If Anger comes after you, can you not ask for the Joy of the Lord to be loosed in your life?

The Lord once sent me 40 angels and asked me to figure out their names. So I talked to them and found out their names according to what they like to minister about. There was Praise, right up front. He was a beautiful angel. Joy was to his right. Reason was to his left. Focus was behind him. Behind Focus was Intercession and next to Him was Evangelism. Behind them was Success and behind him was Obedience. To one side were angels like Mercy, Grace, Peace, and to that end was Happiness. To the other side behind Reason, were Organization, Planning, Provision, Finance, and to that end was Contentment.

There were a lot of them, even 40 of them and I can't even remember all of their names. Some of them I really like a lot, and some I wasn't as thrilled with, though I should have been. They all had very interesting things to say. Did you know that an angel of the Lord that ministers Peace tells you straight off that the peace of the Lord requires surrendering to the Lord? It made sense, but I had never thought of it that way before. And they all had very interesting things to say. They indeed are all ministering spirits sent by the Lord, and He sends angels! Not just an angel, but angels!

Look at Mat Mat 18:10 for I say to you that their angels in heaven

If you know the Lord He sends them - Multiple angels!

Ps 91: 11 For he will command his angels concerning angels concerning you

Preaching a the Kingdom of God means telling people that we not only have a King but a kingdom also. There are more with us than against us, and we don't want to be like the servant that couldn't see the kingdom of God surrounding them!

 

[for_his_glory]

K2CHRIST
Where did I say we forget about it when we seek and find it. I said: "if we have found it then we need to cling to it, grow in it and learn as much as we can of the kingdom of God."

This takes prayer, seeking His word and asking the Holy Spirit to take us deeper into the knowledge of kingdom of God.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

I can say I see the Lord sitting on His throne as I visualize it in my mind as I visulaize many things of the Spiritual realm, but that doesn't mean I have literally seen it with my own eyes as no one has ever literally seen that of the Spiritual realm of God as it does not come with observation. God is a spirit and no one can physically see Him. Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; 1 John 4:12, 13.

We never do know when we are entertaining angels as that is why we need to be careful in treating each other with the love of Christ. I've entertained angels before, but didn't realize it until they disappeared before me. Angels are also spirit without form, but can take on many forms for us to see them if we are truly looking for them being around us.

Angels have no gender (Matthew 22:30) and are innumerable (Hebrews 12:22). They are incarnate in human form at times (Genesis 18:2-8) for the purpose of ministry. Angels also express emotions (Luke 15:10), are wise (2 Samuel 14:20) and powerful (Psalms 103:20).

 

[K2CHRIST]

K2CHRIST
Where did I say we forget about it when we seek and find it. I said: "if we have found it then we need to cling to it, grow in it and learn as much as we can of the kingdom of God."

This takes prayer, seeking His word and asking the Holy Spirit to take us deeper into the knowledge of kingdom of God.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

I can say I see the Lord sitting on His throne as I visualize it in my mind as I visulaize many things of the Spiritual realm, but that doesn't mean I have literally seen it with my own eyes as no one has ever literally seen that of the Spiritual realm of God as it does not come with observation. God is a spirit and no one can physically see Him. Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; 1 John 4:12, 13.

We never do know when we are entertaining angels as that is why we need to be careful in treating each other with the love of Christ. I've entertained angels before, but didn't realize it until they disappeared before me. Angels are also spirit without form, but can take on many forms for us to see them if we are truly looking for them being around us.

Angels have no gender (Matthew 22:30) and are innumerable (Hebrews 12:22). They are incarnate in human form at times (Genesis 18:2-8) for the purpose of ministry. Angels also express emotions (Luke 15:10), are wise (2 Samuel 14:20) and powerful (Psalms 103:20).

I like the above thread. We usually don't know when we are entertaining angels, but if we use our spiritual eyes and ears we might know, even if we are not that sure because we now see like through a dark glass.

Angels don't have a gender, but they can come across as if they do. In fact Genesis 18: 2-8 which you quote specifically says 3 men, so they appeared to be men, thus a gender. Now were they "incarnate"? It might be a jump in logic to assume that because it says 3 men, that they were actually fleshy beings. After all, they were not three men, but we found out that there had been a couple of angels there, not men.

Also Jesus explained “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. [Jn 3:13] Do we actually have other heavenly beings who, like Jesus Christ, also took on flesh. This might present a theological problem. It might be that they not only appeared to be men but also appeared to be incarnate otherwise you have them descending and ascending in and out of heaven.

So I can understand why, based upon what is written, that some believe them to be incarnate, but it might only appear to be so.

Of course we are exactly sure of what is really happening, but a spirit is a spirit, and is not of this physical world. If they could simply change to physical beings, instead of just appear as physical beings, then they could have come and been fighting for Jesus when Jesus told Pilot that His kingdom was not of this world otherwise they would be there fighting for Him.

What I see, and often, is that we are so into this physical realm that we have trouble understanding the spiritual. I find this to be a problem sometimes when I am talking to the Lord or to the angels who minister to me. For example, they might talk to me about eating something and I instantly am thinking about physical food and not spiritual food. It's like when Jesus told the people they had to eat of His blood and drink of His flesh. And there are so many other things that I have to rethink when having conversations with the Lord or with His kingdom, simply because I too tend to think in physical terms.