The Kingdom Is in the Midst of You

[elijah23]

[20] Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;
[21] nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." Luke 17:20-21 RSV

What did Jesus mean when he said, “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you�

 

[Pard]

God has a spiritual kingdom that is within our hearts...

 

[ORwarriOR]

God has a spiritual kingdom that is within our hearts...

This is true, but if we made the outward like the inward would the world not reflect the kingdom of God on a whole? If love was our #1 priority for everyone, would you not agree that the world would be almost heavenly?

 

[Pard]

God has a spiritual kingdom that is within our hearts...

This is true, but if we made the outward like the inward would the world not reflect the kingdom of God on a whole? If love was our #1 priority for everyone, would you not agree that the world would be almost heavenly?

No, I would not agree. Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in this passage. The Pharisees projected God's kingdom OUTWARD, how well did that one work? It didn't...

It would not even be close to heavenly...

 

[JudaicChristian]

[20] Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;
[21] nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." Luke 17:20-21 RSV

What did Jesus mean when he said, “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you�

The correct translation would be "among you." The word "heaven" means place-s. Heaven is also the Earth.
Genesis 1:8
And God called the firmament Heaven.

 

[stovebolts]

God has a spiritual kingdom that is within our hearts...

This is true, but if we made the outward like the inward would the world not reflect the kingdom of God on a whole? If love was our #1 priority for everyone, would you not agree that the world would be almost heavenly?

Jesus even teaches us to pray, "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". The object has never been to get to heaven as if it's a destination, but to bring heaven to earth. Even at the end of Revelation, what is it that we see? Yes, a new earth and a new heaven, and heaven comes down to earth.

Jeremiah 31 speakes of the restoration of Isreal and promises a new covenant where the law will be written on our hearts, and not tablets of stone while Jesus tells the Samarten woman at the well that there will be a day, and that day has come where people worship the father in spirit and truth for that is what the father truly desires.

As baptized believers in Christ, we have been united with Christ and His spirit dwells within us! With Christ as our head, we are the Body of Christ! How exciting!

Through Christ, God is reconcilling all things to himself, and we, as Christians are a part of that Kingdom on earth, a holy priesthood. In essence, we are holy, because He is holy.

 

[Mysteryman]

Hi Jeff:

You said - ". Even at the end of Revelation, what is it that we see? Yes, a new earth and a new heaven, and heaven comes down to earth."

Jeff:
Could you please expound on this further, please ?

 

[Mike]

I realize this verse is speaking to the spirit within, but what about the Kingdom right there in the presence and person of Jesus? As in Matthew 3:

"1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (NIV)

I've always understood this to be a very clear reference that Jesus (the Kingdom) was coming to His people.

Could the Luke 17 verse be referring to the Kingdom being within us AND Jesus being in their presence?

 

[Pard]

Mike,

I have always seen that it means the Kingdom within us. Reason being, Luke reference is in the present tense, while Matthew reference is in the future.

 

[Mike]

Mike,

I have always seen that it means the Kingdom within us. Reason being, Luke reference is in the present tense, while Matthew reference is in the future.

I do agree that the context of the Luke verse suggests that it's talking about the spiritual Kingdom within, as I opened my post. But even in talking of the present, Jesus is the Kingdom of Heaven, He is within, could the Kingdom be within and standing before you.

 

[stovebolts]

Hi Jeff:

You said - ". Even at the end of Revelation, what is it that we see? Yes, a new earth and a new heaven, and heaven comes down to earth."

Jeff:
Could you please expound on this further, please ?

Hi Hervey,
This is what I was refering to.

Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had ceased to exist, and the sea existed no more. 21:2 And I saw the holy city – the new Jerusalem – descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Look! The residence3 of God is among human beings. He will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. 21:4 He7 will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more – or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.â€

21:5 And the one seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new!â€

 

[Mysteryman]

Hi Jeff:

You said - ". Even at the end of Revelation, what is it that we see? Yes, a new earth and a new heaven, and heaven comes down to earth."

Jeff:
Could you please expound on this further, please ?

Hi Hervey,
This is what I was refering to.

Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had ceased to exist, and the sea existed no more. 21:2 And I saw the holy city – the new Jerusalem – descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Look! The residence3 of God is among human beings. He will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. 21:4 He7 will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more – or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.â€

21:5 And the one seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new!â€

Hi Jeff:

Thanks

 

[ORwarriOR]

Zacheriah 2:4-5
4 and said to him: "Run, tell that young man, 'Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. 5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, 'and I will be its glory within.'

I personally believe the new Jerusalem is all around us, and we just have to build it. I think that's what Christ was talking about in his messages of our inner kingdom. And with this prophecy in mind it kind of adds up. Christianity is the most widespread religion across the globe. If we view the whole world as Jerusalem, all of it holy ground, and our #1 mission is love and changing the world for the better; then I think we can achieve the kingdom of God that Christ was talking about. I don't like the idea of just waiting around for it to be handed to us. I know a lot of people are just waiting on the second coming; but christ did say:

Matthew 6:34
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

editing in KJV as well for additional clarification and no tip-toeing around the word worry;

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

I dunno, I don't want to spout heresies but revelation to me seems like it goes against these very important words. We shouldn't keep looking forward to the future, but instead embrace each day and try to spread our love, and work our hardest to do God's work. :]