Re: It's all good..
To all,
Eventide asked for some Scriptures on the Kingdom and its presence here and in the life to come. I attempted to answer this elsewhere, but my internet died before I could post. So I'll post this to no one in particular and perhaps it may clear up a few issues on the Kingdom of God (Heaven, in Matthew). I will use Mark primarily. So first I will show that the Kingdom is here, but hidden, to be fully realized in the world to come. Then, I'll explain what the Kingdom IS...
First, is the Kingdom here now, is it in heaven at the end of time, or are there two elements? It appears that from the words of both Jesus and Paul, the Kingdom is both here, hidden and realized by faith, and to be fully realized at the end of time.
First, just two examples from Paul, there are many more:
Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Romans 14:16-18
This is clearly "now".
we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. 2 Thess 1:4-5
This is pointing to the future
Just some examples, there are more.
I would like to focus more on the words of Jesus and His teachings, from which the Apostle developed the idea of "kingdom", primarily focusing on Mark's Gospel...
Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Mark 14:25
This refers to Jesus and the Wedding Feast in the "Day of the Lord" at the end of time. Clearly, fulfillment of the Kingdom in the future.
Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43
Also appears to be awaiting the fulfillment of the Kingdom to come...
But we also have some other comments on the Kingdom, for example:
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15
Naturally, some form of the Kingdom is "at hand", it is here. Almost here. Since 2000 years have passed, it is likely that this saying does not refer to the end of time.
Mark gives us a number of parables in chapter 4 on the Kingdom. I'll come back to this in my next post on the descriptors, but as to WHEN it is, look to 4:30-32, the mustard seed. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. Ok, keep that in mind, and turn quickly to Matthew's version of this saying...
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Note, it is the same saying as Mark's, but Matthew uses Kingdom of HEAVEN. They are naturally synonymous. What else does Matthew say about this "kingdom of heaven/God? A parable that only Matthew states:
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 13:24-30.
Of course, the parable of the mustard seed immediately follows. Thus, it is clear from this parable that the Kingdom is something HERE and NOW, also.
And my last example, Mark 10:23-30. I will refer to these verses again in my next post, since they are key in discovering WHAT the Kingdom is. But for this post, just the WHEN...
Mark speaks about the Kingdom of God and the rich man - for him, entering it would be like a camel passing through the eye of a needle. The Apostles are "amazed" on this teaching, and Peter asks "what about us, we have given all" for the sake of the Kingdom... Jesus responds:
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. Mark 10:29-30
Here, to conclude my post, is Jesus mentioning that the reward for those in the Kingdom are realized BOTH here and in the world to come. Entering the Kingdom is something that can be done now - and there is a reward for it - and in the world to come - eternal life.
So the "when" of the Kingdom is both here in this world and more fully in the world to come.
Regards