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Subject: Gods Kingdom. Wot is it
Replies: 18 Views: 1025
unquiet1 2.11.10 - 08:51pm
IMAGINE hundreds of millions, even billions, of people, all asking for the same thing. They are asking the highest authority in the universe to fulfill a specific request. Yet, very few of them know just what it is that they are asking for. Could such a thing really happen? In fact, it happens every day. What are all these people asking for? The coming of the Kingdom of God!
By one estimate, there are some 37,000 religions that call themselves Christian, claiming Jesus Christ as their Leader. There are well over two billion members of those faiths. Vast numbers of them pray what is often called the Our Father or the Lords Prayer. Do you know this prayer? As Jesus taught it to his followers, it begins this way: 'Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.'Matthew 6:9, 10.
For centuries now, worshippers have reverently repeated those words in churches. They have also recited them in family groups and as individuals, in good times and in bad. They have spoken the words sincerely, even fervently. Many others have learned them by rote and utter them with little or no thought to the meaning. These members of Christendom are not the only ones who have hoped and prayed for the coming of Gods Kingdom. *
unquiet1 2.11.10 - 08:57pm
A Request That Crosses Religious Borders
A well-known prayer of the Jewish faith is the mourners Kaddish. Although it has little to do with death or grief, it is commonly uttered in times of bereavement. The prayer asks: 'May he [God] establish his Kingdom in your lifetime. . . even speedily.' Another ancient synagogue prayer speaks of the hope for the Kingdom of the Messiah from the house of David.
Others of non-Christian faiths have found the idea of Gods Kingdom appealing. According to The Times of India, a prominent 19th-century Indian religious leader, who was interested in bridging the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian faiths, said: 'The true kingdom of God will not be realised unless the east and west are joined together.' And the prin l of an Islamic college in Strathfield, Australia, recently wrote to a newspaper: 'Like all Muslims, I believe [that] Jesus will return and establish the true Kingdom of God.'
Without a doubt, those now hoping and asking for Gods Kingdom number into the billions. But consider an interesting phenomenon.
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unquiet1 2.11.10 - 09:00pm
You likely know that we Jehovahs Witnesses, who publish magazines, go from house to house in your community to connect with people in discussions about the Bible. As im typing, we are doing this work all over the world, in 236 countries and in well over 400 languages. The main theme of our preaching is the Kingdom of God. In fact, note that the full title of the magazine which we give is The Watchtower ANNOUNCING JEHOVAHS KINGDOM. We often ask people whether they pray for that Kingdom. A great many answer yes. However, when asked what that Kingdom is, most people answer, in effect, 'I dont know,' or their answer is vague and uncertain.
Why do so many ask for something they cannot define? Is it because the Kingdom of God is a complex, vague concept? No. The Kingdom is thoroughly and clearly explained in the Bible. What is more, the Bibles message about the Kingdom can give you real hope in these dark times. In the following article, we will see how the Bible explains that hope. Then we will see when Jesus' prayer for the Kingdom to come will be answered. *
unquiet1 2.11.10 - 09:01pm
What Is Gods Kingdom?
WHAT was the theme of Jesus' preaching? According to Jesus himself, it was God's Kingdom. (Luke 4:43) When people listened to him speak, they surely heard many references to that Kingdom. Were they puzzled or mystified? Did they ask him what this Kingdom was? No. The Gospels record no such questions. So was God's Kingdom a familiar concept to those people?
The fact is, the ancient Scriptures that the Jews revered as holy described that Kingdom, revealing in vivid and concrete terms what it is and what it will accomplish. Today, we can learn even more about the Kingdom in much the same wayby going to the Bible. Let us consider seven truths that the Bible teaches us about the Kingdom. The first three were readily available to the Jews of Jesus day and earlier. The next three were revealed by Christ or by his apostles during the first century. The last one has become apparent in our own time. *
unquiet1 2.11.10 - 09:02pm
1. God's Kingdom is a real government, one that will last forever. The Bibles first prophecy revealed that God would send a rescuer to faithful mankind. Called the 'seed,' this One would undo the terrible ills that were set in motion by the rebellion of Adam, Eve, and Satan. (Genesis 3:15) Much later, faithful King David was told something thrilling about this 'seed,' or Messiah. He would rule over a Kingdom. This government would differ from all others. It would endure forever.2 Samuel 7:12-14. *
unquiet1 2.11.10 - 09:03pm
2. Gods Kingdom will put an end to all human governments.
The prophet Daniel was given a vision in which he saw a succession of world powers, stretching down through history into our own time. Notice the thrilling climax to that vision: ''In the days of those [final human] kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.'' So all the kingdoms, or governments, of this worldwith their wars, oppression, and corruptionwill be destroyed forever. As Daniels prophecy shows, Gods Kingdom will soon rule over the whole earth. (Daniel 2:44, 45) A concrete reality, it will remain the only government in existence. *
unquiet1 2.11.10 - 09:07pm
3. Gods Kingdom will end wars, sickness, famine, even death itself.
Thrilling Bible prophecies reveal what Gods Kingdom will do here on the earth. That government will accomplish what no human agencies have ever done or could ever do. Imagine all weapons of war destroyed forever! ''He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.'' (Psalm 46:9) No more doctors, hospitals, or disease of any kind. ''No resident will say: 'I am sick.''' (Isaiah 33:24) No more famines, food shortages, malnutrition, or starvation. ''There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth.'' (Psalm 72:16) No more funerals, wakes, cemeteries, morgues, or the misery that accompanies them. Death, our relentless enemy, will be vanquished at last. God ''will actually swa11ow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.'' (Isaiah 25:8) *
unquiet1 2.11.10 - 09:12pm
4. God's Kingdom has a Ruler chosen by God.
The Messiah is not self-appointed, nor is he selected by imperfect humans. He is personally chosen by Jehovah God. The very titles Messiah and Christ suggest as much. Both words mean ''Anointed One.'' So this King is anointed, or designated for his special office, by Jehovah. God says of him: ''Look! My servant, on whom I keep fast hold! My chosen one, whom my soul has approved! I have put my spirit in him. Justice to the nations is what he will bring forth.'' (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:17, 18) Who knows better than our Creator what kind of Ruler we need? *
unquiet1 10.11.10 - 07:41am
5. The Ruler of Gods Kingdom has demonstrated his worthiness before all mankind.
Jesus of Nazareth proved to be the foretold Messiah. He was born in the family line God had specified. (Genesis 22:18; 1 Chronicles 17:11; Matthew 1:1) When on earth, he fulfilled scores of prophecies about the Messiah that were recorded centuries earlier. He was also identified from heaven as the Messiah. How so? Well, God spoke from heaven, identifying him as His own Son; angels pointed Jesus out as the foretold Messiah; and Jesus performed miracles often in front of hundreds or even thousands of eyewitnesses that clearly drew on the power of God*. Jesus showed over and over again what kind of Ruler he would be. He had not only the power to help people but the desire as well. (Matthew 8:1-3) He was unselfish, compassionate, courageous, and humble. The record of his life on earth is there in the Bible for all to read.
* See, for example, Matthew 3:17; Luke 2:10-14; John 6:5-14. *
unquiet1 10.11.10 - 08:07am
6. Gods Kingdom has 144,000 co-rulers with the Christ.
Jesus said that others, including his apostles, would rule in heaven with him. He called this group the ''little flock.'' (Luke 12:32) Later, the apostle John was told that this little flock would total 144,000 in number. They would have a thrilling work assignment in heaven, ruling as kings and serving as priests along with Christ. Please read Revelation 5:9, 10 in your bible it says ''you have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to RULE as kings'' also read Revelation 14:1, 3).
Like with parliament, not everyone in the country is chosen to take a seat in parliament and govern the country. Only a few. The same is with Gods government. 144thousand chosen from the earth from different countries and races will make up part of the 144thousand. They would have experienced what its like to be an imperfect human. Revelation 20:6 tells us ''they will be priests of God and of the Christ and will RULE as kings with him for the thousand years.''
Im sure you wondering who they will rule. Please read Psalm 27:29 to find out. ''The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside forever upon it.'' (psalm 37:29)
7. Gods Kingdom, now ruling in heaven, is poised to establish its rule over the whole earth.
This last truth is one of the most thrilling we can learn. The Bible gives ample evidence that Jesus has been granted his authority as King in heaven. He is ruling there now, in our own time, and very soon he will extend his rule to all the earth and fulfill the magnificent prophecies we have already mentioned. But how can we be sure that Gods Kingdom is ruling now? And when will it begin to rule over the earth? *
unquiet1 10.11.10 - 08:19am
When Will Gods Kingdom Come?
''LORD, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?'' (Acts 1:6) The apostles were eager to know when Jesus would establish his Kingdom. Today, some 2,000 years later, people are still eager to know: When will Gods Kingdom come?
Since Jesus made the Kingdom the theme of his preaching, you might expect that he discussed this question. And indeed he did! He spoke extensively about a marked period of time that he called his presence. (Matthew 24:37) That presence is closely tied to the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. What is this presence? Let us consider four truths the Bible reveals about the presence of Christ.
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unquiet1 10.11.10 - 08:26am
1. Christ's presence would begin a long time after his death.
Jesus gave an illustration in which he likened himself to a man who ''travelled to a distant land to secure kingly power,'' or to ''secure a kingdom.'' (Luke 19:12; footnote) How was that prophetic illustration fulfilled? Well, Jesus died and was resurrected; then he traveled to the ''distant land,'' that is, heaven. As Jesus foretold in a similar illustration, his return in kingly power would come only ''after a long time.''-Matthew 25:19.
Some years after Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostle Paul wrote: ''This man [Jesus] offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.'' (Hebrews 10:12, 13) So a lengthy period of waiting followed Jesus' arrival in heaven. The wait finally ended when Jehovah God made his Son the King of the long-promised Messianic Kingdom. That was when Christ's presence began. Would humans on earth see this momentous event?
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unquiet1 10.11.10 - 08:32am
2. The presence is invisible to human eyes.
Remember, Jesus discussed the sign of his presence.(Matthew 24:3) If his presence were visible to human eyes, would a sign be needed? To illustrate: Imagine that you are travelling to see the ocean. You may see road signs directing you along the way, but once you are at the s , standing at the waters edge with the vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon, would you expect to see a sign with a big arrow pointing ahead, emblazoned with the word 'Ocean'? Of course not! Why have a sign to point out what you can easily identify with your eyes?
Jesus described the sign of his presence, not to point out something that humans could see with their eyes, but to help them discern something that would occur in heaven. Thus, Jesus said: ''The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness.'' (Luke 17:20) How, then, would the sign show those on earth that Christ's presence had begun?
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unquiet1 10.11.10 - 08:34am
3. Jesus' presence would be marked by a time of profound troubles here on earth.
Jesus said that his presence as King in heaven would be marked on earth by wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, and lawlessness. (read Matthew 24:7-12; Luke 21:10, 11) What would cause all this misery? The Bible explains that Satan, ''the ruler of this world,'' is full of rage because he knows that his time is very short now that Christ's presence as King has begun. (John 12:31; Revelation 12:9, 12) Such visible evidence of Satans rage and of Christs presence has been abundant in our time. Especially since 1914, a year that historians acknowledge was a turning point, has this evidence appeared on an unprecedented and global scale.
All of that may sound like bad news, but it is not. It means that the Messianic Kingdom is ruling now in heaven. Very soon, that government will exercise its rule right here over all the earth. How, though, would people know about that Kingdom in order to accept its rule and become its subjects?
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unquiet1 10.11.10 - 08:37am
4. Jesus' presence is marked by a global preaching work. Jesus said that his presence would be like ''the days of Noah.''* (Matthew 24:37-39) Noah was more than an ark builder; he was also ''a preacher of righteousness.'' (2 Peter 2:5) Noah warned people that a judgment from God was on its way. Jesus said that his followers on earth would be doing something similar during his presence. He prophesied: ''This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.''-Matthew 24:14
As we discussed in the preceding page, Gods Kingdom will destroy all the governments of this world. The preaching work alerts people that this heavenly government is about to act, giving all an opportunity to escape the coming destruction and become subjects of that Kingdom. The key question, then, is, How will you respond?
*Jesus statement helps to correct the wrong idea conveyed in the way some Bible versions mistranslate the word ''presence''. Some translations render it ''coming,'' ''advent'', or ''return'', all of which imply a momentary event in time. Notice, though, that Jesus did not liken his presence to the Flood of Noahs day, an event in time, but to ''the days of Noah'', a climactic period of time. Like that ancient era, Christs presence would be a period of time during which people would be too caught up in the day-to-day affairs of life to take note of a warning being given. *
unquiet1 10.11.10 - 08:48am
Will God's Kingdom Mean Good News for You?
The message that Jesus preached was one of incomparable hope. After the rebellion in Eden thousands of years ago, Jehovah God purposed to form a government that would set matters right, returning faithful humans to the condition that God had in mind for them from the startlife eternal in a paradise here on earth. What could be more thrilling than the knowledge that this long-promised government is ruling right now in heaven? It is not some remote, abstract concept but a living reality!
Now, God's appointed King is ruling in the midst of his enemies. (Psalm 110:2) In this corrupt world alienated from God, the Messiah is fulfilling his Father's desire to search out all who want to come to know God as he really is and to worship him ''with spirit and truth.'' (John 4:24) The hope of living forever under the rule of Gods Kingdom is available to people of all races, ages, and social backgrounds. (Acts 10:34, 35) We urge you to take hold of the marvellous opportunity before you. Learn about God's Kingdom now, so that you can enjoy living under its righteous rule forever! -1 John 2:17. *
noble93 26.12.11 - 09:37pm
Oh wat a revelation,I like it.So u guys as Watch Towers u are evangelists right? *
unquiet1 26.12.11 - 10:01pm
its not a revelation its just straight from the bible. *
unquiet1 26.12.11 - 10:04pm
we are Jehovah's witnesses mate. Yes we a closely in Jesus' footsteps preaching like he commanded his followers to *
