DID CHRIST SAY THE KINGDOM WAS WITHIN MEN?
Did Christ say the kingdom of God was within the hearts of the men around him? Many would like to believe this is the truth. The world's large universal church had earlier in history, used this passage to teach that nations which they dominated were the kingdom of God. The kingdom God is found within the hearts of men wherever the universal church dominated. It became a premise for missionaries spreading of their faith and power around the world. Missionary work is obviously helpful to lead people away from raw paganism. However the religious wars in Europe are complex issues but this doctrine and belief was a factor in all the blood shed. Could this doctrine be used in the future to justify persecution of those who do not comply with universal religious and political governance? Probably!
First one must read the scripture and in context to view the clear meaning of our Savior. What was He saying and to whom was He speaking?
Luke 17:20-21 NKJV 20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you."
Is Jesus saying to these self righteous and money grubbing clerics that the kingdom of God is inside their evil hearts? Obviously He is not saying any such thing. What is within them or among them? Jesus the Messiah Himself is among them. Other translators do a better job of conveying this clear message. They translate the word within to 'among' you.
Luke 17:20-21 RSV 20 Being asked by the Pharisees ….for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."
Any kingdom will need four elements. The first element is a king. Christ was among them as the king of kings and the foundation of the kingdom of God. The second element is subjects, the third element is territory and fourth are laws and an enforcement mechanism. New members of God's family in the future will do the enforcing.
Revelation 2:26-28 NKJV 26 "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' --as I also have received from My Father; 28 "and I will give him the morning star.
Revelation 5:10 NKJV 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
Further, there is a spiritual component of the kingdom.
John 3:3-6 RSV 3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."...5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
How do carnal flesh and blood people progress into being born anew as spirit beings in the kingdom of God? It is about deep down conversion and a bodily change at the second coming.
WHAT IS GOD PLACING IN THE HEARTS OF MEN AND HOW?
Through the vehicle of God's Holy Spirit He is placing His Ways and thinking in the hearts of believers. Jesus as mankind's new high priest has created a new covenant. It requires us to repent of our lawbreaking.
Hebrews 10:16 NKJV 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"
What is God putting into the hearts and minds of men? He is putting in the goodness and heart of God as codified in the laws of God. The commandments of God embody love.
Matthew 22:36-39 NKJV 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37 Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment. 39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Love of God is embodied by the first four commandments. The love of others in the last six.
Hebrews 7:22-28 RSV 22 This makes Jesus the surety of a better covenant. 23...25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them... appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
What does this new covenant salvation include for us? The love of God coming to carnal mankind is the goal. God's Laws are the core of love. This love of God is what is placed inside repentant men.
Hebrews 10:16 RSV 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,"
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
What is Paul explaining to the gentiles? Repent and act in a Godly manner and cooperate with God's road to our wonderful glorification and change.
1Th 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
OUR TRUE GOAL IS SEEKING THE DIVINE NATURE
The Apostle Peter brings believers to the core of the matter, which is growing in Godly character and striving to grow in goodness and increasing Godliness in our hearts. The chisel God uses is His Spirit this includes a number of factors. Note the Apostle's remarks.
2 Peter 1:4 NKJV 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
What is God putting in the hearts of men who grow spiritually, the Divine Nature? Wow! Peter elaborates on the key aspects of divine nature.
2 Peter 1:5-6 NKJV 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
What a list of wonderful traits including, virtue, knowledge,self-control and perseverance. This is what God is putting in the hearts of those that repent and are truly converted. Mankind is important to God. This why He is sharing His magnificent nature with us.
