The kingdom of God is as enormous and awesome as God is, and has many manifestations. God's kingdom is so vast and comprehensive that it is difficult to describe in a few brief articles. Since the kingdom of God is His realm of universal dominion, we must know God in a greater way to fully grasp what His kingdom is all about. Perhaps it is because of its complexity that the church system rarely teaches anything about the kingdom of God. Much study is required to learn a few simple truths of God's kingdom. Yet, we need more than diligent study and research to see the kingdom of God. To perceive His kingdom at all, we must be begotten of God, and then anointed of the Spirit to understand it by the Spirit of revelation from God. Without the wisdom of the mind of Christ and the fresh anointing of His Spirit, the mysteries of the kingdom will remain hidden and veiled, lest the carnal-minded distort His precious kingdom truths.

Others may receive a different view of the kingdom of God. But when the Spirit has completed the revelation of His kingdom as it pertains to this new Day, we will all understand the kingdom much better than we do now. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, each described the earthly life and ministry of Jesus and the principles of the beginning of the kingdom in our hearts. Their individual views of our Lord and His kingdom differed because they each saw Him from a different per-spective. The four Gospels are so different in their view of the Lord and His ministry that some suppose those four Gospel writers contra-dicted each other. But there are no contradictions in God's word! They each saw the Lord from a different vantage point. And each of those four Gospel writers spoke or wrote the anointed truth of God. So it is with those today who are attempting to describe the wonder, the glory, the majesty, and the power of the kingdom of God.

Over forty years ago, I taught a class in Bible Schools called, "Kingdom Synthesis." My outline for that class began with a study of the eight covenants of the Bible as they relate to the kingdom of God. The word "synthesis" means a combination of different parts that make up the whole. Thus, all aspects of the truth of God's word and the experiences of God's people are vital parts of the kingdom of God. As I studied, I realized that the kingdom of God was Father's intention for mankind from the beginning. The first example of the kingdom was given when God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

The kingdom of God was not declared as such in Adam's day, but all the elements necessary for a kingdom to exist are found in Eden's heavenly Garden. The four elements necessary for a kingdom to exist are a people, a land, the law or principles that governed them, and a king. All these were fully realized in Eden. Adam and Eve were the people of the kingdom, Eden was their "land," God's word telling them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was the law that governed them, and the Lord was their King. The example given us in Eden is an illustration of God's intention, not only for us but for all mankind. God would have us to be the people of His kingdom, who shall live in the restored new earth, where the only law is the law of Life in Christ, with no other King but Him.

The kingdom of God was in the mind of God from the very beginning of time. His kingdom was expressed and manifested, not only in Eden, but also in Israel. As Israel's King, the Lord delivered the nation out of Egypt, gave them the law at Sinai, and took them to the promised land of Canaan. When the Lord gave David the authority to build Him a house through the prophet Nathan, He said to Nathan, "He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever." (2 Sam. 7:13) The throne of David was to be a perpetual throne. It was to continue beyond the era of David's lifetime. The term "for ever," means time out of sight; it refers to a time beyond David's, and includes his offspring until Christ, Who also is "the Son of David." (Is. 11:1,10, Mt. 1:1, 22:42, Acts 13:22-23)

David's son, Solomon, was the next King of Israel. The things which were not accomplished in David's administration, because he was a warring king, were fulfilled during Solomon's peaceful reign. Solomon's dominion extended beyond Israel's boundaries, over many other kings, "and he had peace on all sides round about him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon." (1 Ki. 4:24-25) Think of the wonder of it! Solomon had a vast dominion, and everywhere around him there was peace. All Israel, including Judah, was united under King Solomon. They all dwelt safely, and every man among them had his own land with vines and fig trees. This is God's intention for all mankind in the kingdom of God. His will and purpose for us and for all mankind is that we shall all dwell in peace and safety. We shall have our own place for a vine and fig tree, while we rejoice in God, and acknowledge Him as our King and Lord. But some among us care little for lands and other earthly blessings. It is their high calling to live the fullness of the Life of Christ, for they have no other inheritance but Him. (Nu. 18:20, De. 10:9) And His Life is the fullness of the power of the kingdom of God!

If we enter into the fullness of the kingdom of God, by the Spirit of revelation from God, we will discover a very significant truth. And that truth is: "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (1 Co. 4:20) The kingdom of God is the power of God manifest, first in our personal lives, then in the world around us, in the whole universe, and in time and the ages of this world. His kingdom is the power of God that changes everything in its sphere of influence, as determined by the Lord when He set forth His eternal purposes for each age. The power of the kingdom of God shall eventually change us, the world around us, the whole universe, and time and the ages.

Because the kingdom of God is the incorruptible realm of Spirit, Jesus referred to it as a mystery. Spiritual mysteries such as those of His kingdom cannot possibly be understood by the carnal mind. All divine mysteries must be received and understood by the Spirit of revelation from God. Jesus said to His disciples, "Unto you it is given (of the Spirit) to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mk. 4:11-12, see also Mt. 13:13-17, 34-35.) Those outside the kingdom, or "them that are without," cannot know its wonders. We must be begotten of the Spirit, having our sins forgiven, to be a part of the kingdom. Yet, there are millions of Christians to whom it has not been given to know its mysteries. Most are content to listen to their preachers expound the doctrines of the church system as they drift along with the religious tide, unaware of the majestic truths of the mysteries of God. But to us it is given of God to understand His mysteries, not because we deserve it, or are better than anyone else, but solely and entirely by His grace.

So mighty, powerful and mysterious is the kingdom of God that Jesus compared it to a man who cast seed into the ground. The man rose night and day to try to know how it grew. Yet, like a seed planted in the ground, which grows of itself in the earth, the kingdom grows with the increase of God, and few understand how. (Mk. 4:26-28) The kingdom of God, which was illustrated in Adam and Eve's experience in Eden, has been growing ever since. Later, the mighty Seed of the kingdom, which is Christ, was planted within our hearts by the Spirit. That kingdom Seed has been growing within us, for its/His nature is to grow and increase. The kingdom of God grew and shall continue to increase, by the Spirit of Life from God, until everything everywhere is totally swallowed up into God, and He has become all and in all.

The Kingdom of God Manifest in our Individual Lives

If you were to ask me what the kingdom of God is like in my personal life at this time, I would have to tell you that it/He is like a fire burning within me. The kingdom of God is certainly more than God's fiery presence within me, but that is the way His kingdom is manifest at this time in my life. In the spiritual sense, the kingdom of God within is righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit now. But our souls may be experiencing the fire of God's burning presence within. (Is. 66:15-16) Our Father is preparing us for the greater fullness of His kingdom. We are experiencing the power of the kingdom of God within us; it is that power of God that is consuming everything in us that is foreign to the kingdom of God. Yet the peace and joy of the Spirit within is sustaining us through this time. Christ is reigning in our lives! And He must continue to reign in us until He has put every enemy within us under His feet!

When we were filled with the Spirit, we were baptized with the holy fire of God's mighty presence. (Mt. 3:11, Acts 2:3-4) Yet, we may never have experienced the burning, consuming fires of the Lord's mighty presence as we are now. It seems the Lord has heated the oven of His presence within us seven times hotter. And we know we will be better off because of the power of the kingdom of God now manifest within us. The kingdom of God within us is the dominion or authority of God working in our lives. It is the power of Christ manifest within us as He reigns on the throne of our lives to change us into His image and likeness. If we would seek the fullness of His kingdom, we shall experience the power of His kingdom within to purge us of all our iniquities. As God is a consuming fire (He. 12:29), so the kingdom of God within us also is a consuming fire. The fire that He is within us shall burn all the remaining iniquities out of us until we are clean and free of all that is foreign and contrary to His kingdom.

Our Father is bringing us to completion and perfection! He is completing the work He began in us in our infancy. And we may think it is about time! It seems as though we have been in this imperfect state long enough. But God knows what He is doing! He wisely with-holds the power and authority of His kingdom until He knows we are fully prepared for the changes to take place. Also, He has a set time, according to His sovereign purpose in grace, when we shall be fully changed into His image and likeness. There is another truth of the kingdom of God that we have learned, and it is this: "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." (1 Co. 15:50)

The kingdom of God is the realm of God. And the realm of God does not consist of matter; His kingdom is not made up of corruptible things like places or things, for it is the realm of Spirit! The kingdom of God, or the realm of God's Spirit, is not meat and drink (Ro. 14:17), nor is it a realm of anything else that is corruptible. The kingdom of God is the incorruptible realm of God! Heaven, the seven churches, the temple, the many mansions of our spiritual abode, the throne, the new Jerusalem city, and the streets, walls, gates, and foundations of that city, are not literal places or areas; they are terms used to describe various spiritual areas or realms of the kingdom of God. Religious Babylon has truly brought its confusion into the interpretation of scripture. That which is spiritual and incorruptible, has been interpreted to be corruptible, natural and literal because of religious Babylon's false doctrines. And the Lord's precious people have certainly been deceived by such carnal interpretations!

Because "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption," we will not see a literal throne established on this literal earth with a flesh and blood person seated on that kingdom throne. Those are corruptible things of earth that cannot be a part of the incorruptible kingdom of God. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom! When Pilate questioned Jesus concerning His activities and the reason the Jews wanted to kill Him, Jesus replied, "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." (Jo. 18:36) The corruptible things of this world have nothing to do with the incorruptible kingdom of God, for His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. It is fallacy to believe that by worldly or earthly means the kingdom of God will be established on earth. Putting Christians in office will not advance the kingdom of God one iota, for His kingdom is not of this world. None of man's other carnal, religious works can possibly further the kingdom of God in the earth, for His kingdom is of another realm; it is of the realm of Spirit.

Jesus will not return to the earth as our King to sit upon an earthly throne, whether in Jerusalem, London, Washington, or anywhere else. He who is incorruptible cannot be a part of that which is corruptible. His kingdom is not of this world; it is entirely of another world or realm. Father spoke to Jesus, telling Him clearly and distinctly, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Ps. 110:1) Therefore, Jesus shall remain symbolically seated at Father's right hand in the heavenlies, or in the realm of Spirit, until every enemy is made His footstool, including death, the last enemy. By the Spirit, we are seated there in Him and with Him. The heavenly, spiritual throne of Christ is the source of all authority, granting Him power over the heavens, the earth, and the whole universe. Christ is reigning, and we with Him, from that incorruptible, Spiritual realm of all power and authority to put every enemy under His feet.

Jesus could have summoned many soldiers to fight for Him if His kingdom were of this world. But He clearly said that His kingdom was of another world or realm. The way of the kingdom of God is not the way of this corruptible world. His kingdom has nothing to do with the fightings and strivings of men, or of flesh against flesh. The way of the kingdom of God is the way of the Spirit; it is the way of the cross! That is the way Jesus was led of His Father, and it is the way we are also being led. When you feel you are being tried beyond all endurance, remember that you are walking in the footsteps of Jesus, by the Spirit, and that this is the way of the kingdom of God.

The scriptures tell us that God "hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:6) That is indeed where we are in the Spirit. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places in the realm of Spirit, or in the kingdom of God. As His overcomers, we are invited to sit with Christ in His throne, even as He also overcame and is seated with His Father in His throne. (Rev. 3:21) This is not a literal throne, for the kingdom of God is the incorruptible realm of God. The throne of the kingdom is our spiritual position; it is where we dwell in God, according to the degree of our spiritual maturity. The throne, the temple, and the new Jerusalem city, each represents some realm in the Spirit, or in the heavenlies, where believers abide. Our place in God is determined by our calling and function concerning Father's purposes for His kingdom.

One of the scribes approached Jesus when he heard Him talking with the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were trying to tempt Jesus and find fault with Him. That scribe asked Jesus, "Which is the first commandment of all?" When the scribe saw that Jesus gave him the correct answer, he replied, "Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." (See Mk. 12:28-34.)

Because the kingdom of God is the incorruptible realm of the Spirit, sacrifices and offerings are not a part of it. Sacrifices and offerings were required of the Lord in the past, and by observing them, the Israelite became more conscious of God. But the law and all aspects of that type of worship continued only until John the Baptist began preaching repentance. The truth, declaring the end of the age of the law and the prophets, is clearly written for all to understand. Jesus Himself said, "The law and the prophets were in force until John's day. From then on the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed and men are forcing their way into it." (Lu. 16:16, Phillips) The age of the law and the prophets ended when John the Baptist began preaching repentance. And for two "days" since then, the kingdom of God was planted in the hearts of God's people.

That enlightened scribe must have realized that the age of the law and the prophets was over when he said that to love the Lord with his whole being, and his neighbor as himself, "is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." When He heard the scribe say that, Jesus replied, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." By this statement, Jesus acknowledged that that scribe was making the transition from the age of the law and the prophets to the church age. Even so today, the elect of the Lord are also making the transition, from the old church age of the past to the new and more wonderful age of the kingdom of God on earth.

When we also realize that the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, or flesh and blood, and does not consist of corruptible things, the Lord may also say to us, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." The kingdom of God is not entered by observing the do's and don'ts of religion. Nor can we approach the kingdom with a religious "bag" of ceremonies, ordinances, observances, and church laws. The kingdom of God is none of these things, for it is the incorruptible realm of Spirit. The kingdom of God is not laws and ceremonies; it is the Life of God! The kingdom of God is not in going to meetings, nor is it in participating in religious functions; the kingdom of God is the reality of God! It is the power of the Christ within us by which we are commissioned and empowered to love the Lord with every fiber of our being, and our neighbors as ourselves.

That scribe saw something more than the law and the ceremonies of religion. He saw that the kingdom of God is the transforming power of God that went beyond all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices of the past. And some of us today are seeing more than the dead, "churchy" religion of the past. We are seeing the glory of the kingdom and the throne of the Lord. The Lord, in His abundant mercy, set us free of man's corrupted religion. He also raised us to a new life in the Spirit, by His grace and mercy. And now, we are seeing the greater glory of the ever advancing kingdom of God in our earth, and also in the greater earth all around us.

When some parents brought their children to Jesus for His blessing, the disciples rebuked them. But this displeased Jesus, so He said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (Mk. 10:13-15) What a practical lesson for us! When we entered the kingdom by being begotten of the Spirit, we came as a little child. We came into the kingdom knowing little, with no back-ground of experiences in the Spirit. As transgressors, we came into the kingdom just as we were, bringing nothing with us that might have hindered our entrance into His kingdom. Now the kingdom of God is coming to the earth in a greater way. And we must come into its greater glory as a little child. When we come as a child, we turn from the ways of the past. We leave past truths and doctrines behind. What was truth yesterday, during the church age, is either fulfilled, or is raised to a higher level, to be fulfilled by the Spirit in a greater way.

Having come to the greater glory of the kingdom of God, as it is revealed in this new Day, we must come AS a little child. In spiritual reality, we are starting over. This new Day began with a call to repentance and by the Lord doing new things in the Spirit. If we see this Day at all, we do so because we made the transition from the old age to the new by repentance. And when true repentance has had its effect in our spiritual lives, it changes us, so that we become AS little children. We do not lose our spiritual maturity, for we can only gain and grow with each step we take in the kingdom of God.

As more mature sons of God we know the great truth that we grow spiritually by denying self. We grow spiritually by learning. And we can only learn by becoming AS little children. We have not yet attained to all that God has for us, for we have much more to learn and experience of God and His kingdom. The Apostle Paul was unquestionably one of the great spiritual leaders of his time. Yet, near the end of his life, he said, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:13-14) Those who really see this new Day and the greater glory of the kingdom of God are truly "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." They are pressing toward "the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Keep pressing on, saints of God! The prize of the high calling of God in Christ is not far away!

We are still considering the kingdom of God in individual lives. When a rich, young ruler came to Jesus wanting to know how to inherit eternal life, Jesus told him of the commandments. He replied that he had kept all the commandments since his youth. But Jesus mentioned one thing in that man's life that would prevent him from attaining eternal life. He said to him, "One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." (Mk. 10:17-22) Isn't it just like our Lord to point out the thing most dear to us, as He did with that rich, young ruler?

After the rich, young ruler left, Jesus said to His disciples, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" (Vs. 23) The disciples were astonished at these remarks, so Jesus explained what He meant. He said to them, "Children, how hard is it for them that TRUST in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." The key word here is TRUST! Jesus was saying that it is very difficult for anyone who TRUSTS in the riches of this world to enter into the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is a realm in God where all our needs are provided. When we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things are added unto us. (Mt. 6:33) But those who TRUST in riches, cannot see the king-dom of God, for their trust is in the things of this world. (See also what Jesus said about the rich and the poor in Luke 6:20-26.)

The Kingdom of God Manifest in the World Around us

We are seated with Christ and are reigning with Him in and from the heavenly, spiritual realm. That is the kingdom of God in demonstration! Being seated with Him in the Spirit gives us greater power and authority than if we were a literal, earthly king with massive wealth and a great army. The prophet's word, declaring that the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, is fulfilled when we take our heavenly, spiritual seat in Christ. (Da. 7:18) By the authority we have in Christ from the throne of His kingdom, we are given "power over the nations" to "rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they (the nations) be broken to shivers." (Rev. 2:26-27) The Lord broke up the Soviet Union by the power and authority of His kingdom reign. And He shall continue to subdue all other powers and governments of man until "all dominions shall serve and obey Him." (Da. 7:27)

The kingdom of God changes everything corruptible into that which is incorruptible. The power and authority of the kingdom of God, which is unseen and unobserved spiritual power, is that power that controls all things, and then changes all those corruptible things into that which glorifies the Name of the Lord. Having been given power over the nations to rule them with a rod of iron in the fullness of time, the Christ, including both the Head and the Body, shall change all those nations so they shall all serve the Lord. When the kingdom work of Christ is finished, and all nations are made subject to Him, they shall all serve and obey the Lord with love and devotion to Him, and to Him only. Then there will be no more wars, conflicts or opposition to the Lord and His kingdom. This is the fullness of the reality of the kingdom of God coming to the earth. When this takes place, the manifestation of the glory of His kingdom will convince all of the righteousness, peace and justice of the Lord. Seeing this literally fulfilled, every person of every nation will gladly surrender their will to the will of God. Then, the kingdom of God will have come to the earth, and the will of God shall be done everywhere in all the universe for His glory and honor.

The kingdom of God is that mighty power of God that also changes the whole creation into that which shall glorify the Lord. The anointed prophets of the Lord prophesied some wonderful truths by the Spirit. We have read these prophecies so often for so long that they may seem to be as fairy tales told by someone in a dream. But God's inspired and anointed Word is not a dream, a fantasy, or an illusion. It is the truth of God! And His truth shall prevail anywhere and everywhere, according to His omnipotent purpose. God's good intention and wonderful purpose in grace for mankind and for this world may seem to be beyond the understanding of the unenlightened. But every word of God shall come to pass in its time to the glory of the Lord.

When the kingdom of God more fully comes to the earth, the anointed word of the Lord declares, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp (an adder or poisonous viper), and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' (a similar poisonous viper) den." (Is. 11:6-8) What a wonderful change shall take place as the reign of Christ transforms every living creature. And "a little child," which is the comparatively small manchild company or the elect remnant, shall lead them into the fullness of the kingdom of God. Then, the peace and harmony of the kingdom of God shall prevail among all creatures everywhere. And every word declared by our Father shall be completely and totally fulfilled.

May the Lord help us all understand the vital importance and significance of our present walk with God. As we walk this kingdom pathway, being led of the Spirit to make the transition from the old age to the new, we are thereby marking out a clear path to the kingdom of God for the rest of the creation to follow. We are indeed that "little child" that is leading the whole creation into the greater fullness of the kingdom of God. Our "greater works" ministry is a sure work of the Spirit. It is unseen by the carnal-minded, but it is leading the creation to a glory that shall ultimately be fulfilled in due time.

The anointed, prophetic word of the Lord also tells us, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." (Vs. 9) As I read this passage, I wondered if the negative attitudes and doctrines of the religious systems could possibly be responsible for the warring, harmful attitude prevalent among mankind and the creation. The time is coming when there will be no hurt or harm in all God's holy mount-ain, which is the realm of Zion, the spiritual realm where many Christ-ians dwell. Then it must also be true that the harmful dogmas of Christendom, such as their doctrines of hell and damnation, are responsible for the present destructive spirit and conduct among man-kind. This destructive attitude, manifest in the religious systems of man, apparently flows down to affect the rest of the creation.

Obviously the many false doctrines, in-part truths, and divisive attitudes and conduct in Christendom are causing this destructive, hurtful attitude and behavior in the creation. Christians have been telling others they were going to a fiery "hell," causing much harm. But the holy mountain of the Lord shall be cleansed of its many errors and carnal works in this Day! Just as the truth of God sets us free individually, so the anointed truth of God, revealed and declared with kingdom purpose by the King and His co-kings with Him, shall deliver Christendom of its many errors, carnal works, and in-part truths, thus setting the creation free. God must cleanse the whole realm of Christ-endom, for nothing and no one shall ever again hurt or destroy in all His holy mountain. And He surely shall, "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

Isaiah's anointed prophecy begins by telling of the coming forth of Christ as a righteous Branch out of the root of Jesse. This is the fullness of Christ, which is both the Head and the Body in glorious union. This fullness of Christ is anointed with the seven Spirits of God! "He" does not judge by the sight of "His" eyes, nor does "He" reprove by the hearing of "His" ears. But with the righteousness of God "He" will judge the poor, and reprove with equity the meek of the earth. "He" will "smite" the earth with the rod of His mouth, and "slay" the wicked with the breath of His lips. Righteousness shall be the girdle of "His" loins, and faithfulness the girdle of "His" reins. The "little child," or this corporate, Christ-man, shall bring righteousness, peace and justice to the mountain of the Lord, which shall then flow down to the whole creation, making it all new by the sovereign power of our mighty King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Kingdom Work of the Spirit to Transform us

There is another aspect of kingdom truth we should consider, and it is this: our flesh and blood cannot possibly inherit the fullness of the kingdom of God. We must be changed! And our bodily change and full salvation is promised by the Lord. Paul wrote to the Romans, telling them that the whole creation travaileth in pain together, "and not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit (or, which is), THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY." (Ro. 8:22-23) The redemption of our bodies is Father's promise to the overcomers. (Rev. 3:5) The perfect example we have been given of one who has been changed into the full glory of the kingdom of God is Jesus. He is the first Son to be so changed; and He is our example. As Jesus was changed by the Spirit of Life from God into the heavenly likeness, so also shall we be changed. To be changed, we must be cleansed and purged of all of old Adam's iniquities. Our faithful Lord is completing the work He began when He saved us by His grace. He is bringing us to completion and perfection by manifesting the power of the kingdom of God within us. Christ is reigning on the throne of our lives, by the Spirit. When He has completed His cleansing, purg-ing work within us, we shall be fully prepared for that instantaneous, momentary, twinkling of an eye, last trump transformation.

Paul continued by explaining the great and wonderful mystery of our change "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible MUST put on incorruption, and this mortal MUST put on immortality." (Vs. 52-53) The "trumpet" in this passage is symbolic of the Voice of the Lord, as in Is. 58:1, Rev. 1:10, 4:1, & 8:13. That "last trump" may be the Voice of the Son of God calling the dead to rise from their graves, as in John 5:25-29. The kingdom of God is the realm of incorruption! And we cannot fully inherit that which is incorruptible while we are in this corruptible state. We must be changed! We must put on incorruption! We must put on immortality! The only way we can inherit the fullness of the kingdom of God with our whole being is for us to be changed into the immortal, incorruptible, imperishable, and eternal Life of Christ. Although we entered the kingdom when we were saved, the fullness of the kingdom of God can only be inherited by being changed into the image and likeness of Christ. By the anointing of the Spirit, Paul declared that we shall be changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump."

Throughout our wilderness journey in this life, we learned that the Lord was preparing us for our change. Many were the difficult, wild-erness experiences that sorely tried and tested us. But each wilderness experience was necessary to prepare us for our change. By the wisdom of His omniscient mind, the Lord determined that we needed to be processed and prepared by those experiences, to be ready for that momentary, twinkling of an eye, last trump transformation. We now know that our change is not only a momentary, twinkling of an eye, last trump change, but that we are being changed from glory to glory in the wilderness of this world, unto that final moment when His greater glory shall burst forth to instantly change us into the fullness of His image and likeness.

At the time of His transfiguration, Jesus said to His disciples, "Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." (Mk. 9:1) Matthew gave this last phrase as, "till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." (Mt. 16:28) And Luke gives that phrase as, "till they see the kingdom of God." (Lu. 9:27) About eight days after Jesus said this, He took Peter, James, and John with Him "into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them." (Mk. 9:2) Therefore, the transformation of the first Son was the coming of the kingdom of God with power. It also was the Son of man coming in His kingdom. And what will the transformation of the elect sons of God be in the majestic glory of this new Day, but a greater and more glorious manifestation of the kingdom of God coming with mighty power to set the whole creation free!

Paul also wrote the Romans to tell them, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Ro. 14:17) To be righteous as He is righteous is our goal in God. That is what the kingdom of God is all about in our personal lives! It is also that we shall be fully at peace with God, with ourselves and others, and with everything else in this world and in the whole universe. If there is any one thing, either within us or outside of us, that troubles us and denies us His peace, then the kingdom of God is not fully established within us. Also, if we do not have the joy of the Lord that only the holy Spirit provides, then the kingdom of God is not a full reality in our lives. But as long as we are in this body of flesh and blood, with the carnal mind of old Adam, it may not be possible for us to always have the fullness of His righteousness, His peace, and the joy of the holy Spirit. Again, the truth becomes clear: we must be transformed to experience the full glory and potential of the incorruptible kingdom of God!

Although these things may not seem to be fully attainable while we are in this corruptible state, we know the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Lord are ours NOW in a measure. In fact, we must receive the righteousness of Christ NOW, if only in a measure, to be able to inherit the kingdom of God. Paul advised the Galatians to be led of the Spirit, and thereby avoid the works of the flesh, which he named in Ga. 5:19-21. The works of the flesh will take us down the dark path of sin and shame, and will prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God. Therefore, we need the righteousness of Christ by which we shall live a righteous life and inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation or disruption of the ages. And His righteousness is available to us NOW, as we walk out the path Father laid down for us before the ages began. The works of the flesh are the works of those who have no present calling to inherit the kingdom. But the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, are evidences of the cleansing, purging work of the fire of God in the lives of those called and chosen of the Father to inherit His kingdom. (See Ga. 5:22-25)

Truths Shared By Others

We received the following in a wonderful letter from our good friend and brother, Archie Ross, of B.C., Canada: "About three weeks ago the Lord drew my attention to Mt. 21:19-22, Mt. 21:43-44 & Mk. 11:20-26. `For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed and be cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.' This has always intrigued me and I wondered what it meant. When I read about the `fig tree' and the `mountain' I wondered what connection there could be. Why was Jesus interested in causing a `fig tree' to wither almost instantly? Is there not much more significance than the sudden demise of a fig tree? I believe the fig tree represents the `natural Israel nation!' God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this day. See Ro. 11:8.

"Then Jesus tells them that if they have faith they shall say unto a `mountain' to be removed and cast into the sea and IT SHALL BE DONE. The mountain I believe refers to the `Kingdom of God,' which will be cast into the sea (of man - a crowd, multitudes). In plain words I believe Jesus is saying to us that if we grow up into the Fullness we will command that the Kingdom be established in the hearts of all mankind and it shall be done! The sons of God will have power and authority that man has never thought of or entertained as a possibility. All shall know Him from the least unto the greatest! The knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!" (End of quotation.)

We also received a letter from a brother who had obviously experienced the appearing of Christ as Light. We quote portions of that inspired letter: "This has been a very exciting morning for me, as the Lord gave me a new picture and understanding of what He is doing and how He is doing it. These are days of continuing creation. Our Father, being a Creator, has never stopped creating. He is still creating out of nothing! A Creator can't stop creating. Now He is creating through His sons. But how is He creating? Where is He creating? That is the glorious mystery that is unfolding to me as I journey on His highway! We sons are learning the higher way of God, our Father, who created everything out of nothing. It all came out of Himself. We are creators made in His image, learning to create the kingdom as we live, move, and have our being in it moment by moment, day by day. We are creating the kingdom where there was and is no kingdom, only darkness. We are bringing it right into the midst of that darkness!

"How do we go about turning spiritual darkness into Light? Just by knowing and being who we are, children of light! It is all done out of rest! It is done by the Person of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. It is actually the Holy Spirit doing the creating through us, precept by precept, speaking the word of faith that becomes fact. It is taking many of us, who together are His body, to create the world-wide kingdom. We are interconnected in Spirit. In Christ, we are one omnipresent Spirit. Now instead of 120 in an upper room, we are a worldwide body of spiritual creators, bringing the kingdom into being where before there was no kingdom in manifestation.

"The kingdom of God appears in the midst of the darkness as the sons speak the word of their Father from His center of higher spiritual knowing, wisdom, and understanding within, `Let there be light!' As the sons of God walk in earth's spiritual darkness and nothingness, wherever they are, they all say the same word, `Let there be light!' And that Light shines away the darkness. Because we are children of light, made in the image and born again into the family of our Father in Light, we may knowingly and purposely speak His Word. This is spiritual Light, spoken in the power of the Person of the Holy Spirit. He is omnipresently networking the children of Light, those who speak the same Word with the one mind of Christ in them, and who are brought into one accord and agreement together. If one hears this Word in the Spirit, `Let there be Light!' although he may be surrounded by spiritual darkness, he will speak to that darkness, and it must go. In that higher way, each child of Light enters into the creation of the kingdom on earth and becomes a living part of the present kingdom. We're busy creating the kingdom that was not there beforehand in visible form. By faith it comes into manifestation, and those who have been held captive to the world's systems are loosed from the darkness. They come into the kingdom with rejoicing, singing, and an abundance of feasting on kingdom infinite supply.

"In His life on earth, Jesus walked in unity of Spirit with His Father within. (1 Jo. 2:27) By His words and actions He introduced the world to the almighty kingdom of God hidden within men. But still today this mysterious kingdom seems to remain hidden from the awareness of the very ones our Father wants to come home to Him. Just like the son in the parable of the prodigal, we need to `come to ourselves' and remember our real home with our Father, whose estate contains everything good. Why is our heavenly Father's kingdom such a mystery to His children? Why do we not enter into it? It is because we have not listened to the all-wise Teacher the Lord sent to us - the only Teacher who knows our inner thoughts that He can, through us, reveal the kingdom that is always here within. Jesus said, `As a man thinketh so is he.'

"The only possible way for God to show His children His mysterious kingdom is by revelation. The kingdom is revealed to one child at a time by the Spirit of Christ living within. The only Gospel there is in this world of spiritual darkness is the same one Jesus preached. The kingdom of God is here! There is no other good news in all the world. The only way to escape the darkness is to turn on the Light within! We are His children of Light to all the earth, for Christ within us is the Light of the world, and our Father is the Father of lights. (Ja. 1:17) The kingdom of God is Light that cannot be observed with human eyes. (Lu. 17:20) It is seen only with spiritual eyes, with the single eye of the Spirit of God within. As a child of God I know that in my inner being is Christ, Who is the Light, and that in union with Him I, too, am in union with the Light of the world." (End of quotation.) Dear Friend, the time has come for us to rise and shine with the Light of Christ! And His Light within us shall dispel all the darkness everywhere!

Paul and Emily Mueller