Sabbath: The Kingdom of God
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 11:2; Luke 1:32-33; Luke 18:16-30; Luke 17:23-24; Rev. 21:1-3; Luke 21:34-36.
Memory Text: They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God
(Luke 13:29, NKJV).
Image © Lars Justinen Goosalt.com
The kingdom of God is a major theme and a significant priority in the teachings of Jesus. The phrase occurs nearly 50 times in Matthew, 16 times in Mark, about 40 times in Luke, and three times in John. Wherever it appears-be it in the Lord’s Prayer, or in the Sermon on the Mount, or in His other preaching and parables-the kingdom of God is an expression of what God had done in history for the human race as He deals with the problem of sin and brings the great controversy with Satan to an ultimate and decisive end. The kingdom of God is unlike any kingdom the world has ever known, and that’s because it’s not a worldly kingdom.
The kingdom of God comes not with outward show. It comes through the gentleness of the inspiration of His word, through the inward working of His Spirit, the fellowship of the soul with Him who is its life. The greatest manifestation of its power is seen in human nature brought to the perfection of the character of Christ.
-Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 36.
This week well focus on this theme, especially as it appears in Luke.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 13.
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In a miserable world where death is a feared enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26) and we may not always understand why loss of family and friends occur when they do the Kingdom of God provides hope. Paul counsels us not to grieve as the world does, and send a message of disbelief or hopelessness (1 Thessalonians 4:13). In loss we may still be thankful for life which came by grace and look forward to the reunion Kingdom, the Kingdom of Glory.
We cannot do anything for those who have already departed, but the living call for attention. In the Kingdom of Grace and among the living decisions are made which determine for whom the Kingdom of Glory will be a reality.
As the kingdoms of this world spin out of control and the society celebrates the breakdown of God’s order and institutions and all manner of rebellion in the name of freedom the distinctions between the holy course and profane path becomes clearer (John 18:36). It is almost time for “Thy Kingdom come,” for Christ to take over all kingdoms (Revelation 11:15). For yet a little while those already in the Kingdom of Grace have a work to do (John 9:4).
As the labor for souls proceeds bear in mind it is possible we may not see family and friends again, and not because they are missing from the Kingdom. Our own faithfulness to what God requires of us comes up in the judgment and determines our final destination (Revelation 20:12, 13).
I think I need to get out more. Although having spent the last 12 years or so frequenting Christian web forums I still come across new (at least to me) interpretations as to what the kingdom of God means. Just last week I discovered the 'black Israel' movement. I doubt there are many advocates for that group here in NZ, but it certainly seems to have gained a lot of traction in the US among the African-American community. And I am sure it isn't 'new'. And last night learned of the luni/solar Sabbath controversy.
There are many such groups I know, all having a different understanding and a new 'take' on the divinity of Christ, The nature of the Holy Spirit, the purpose of the law(s), the Sabbath, and even the name of Jesus (Yahushua... Yeshua...etc) and all appear to be very legalistic to the point of condemning everything that contradicts them as being 'heretical'. This atmosphere of so many divergent belief systems creates a unique paradox never before experienced or faced by previous generations, except perhaps by the apostles themselves. On the one hand we have the imperative of the times. Yes, we Adventists do still believe in the urgency of our message. But on the other hand, we have the many diverse opinions and nuances which demand Biblical answers. This in one sense makes it all the more difficult to get our message across, yet can be a good thing in that it should compel us to rely so much the more on the Holy Spirit to speak through us to those who in ignorance or in deception, are so far removed form the truth.
Our peculiar understanding of what the kingdom of God actually means (and might I add the righteousness of God also being of equal importance according to Matt 6) needs to be soundly Biblically based devoid of personal opinion. Now, more than any other time, we need to "study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.".....24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." 2 Timothy 2:15,16;24-26.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
"We have a truth which admits no compromise. Shall we not repudiate everything that is not in harmony with this truth?" 1SM205
We just saw yesterday how the greatest manifestation of the kingdom is in changed lives. Therefore what E.G.White says here makes perfect sense...
"The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God desires the the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power." DA826
This my friends is what is what sets our message apart from whatever else is on offer. And it is what the world craves for. It is our privilege to share the hope, the power, and the all-encompassing grace of the Almighty with everyone we can.
Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show; neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” The kingdom of God begins in the heart. Look not here or there for manifestations of earthly power to mark its coming. - The Desire of Ages, p. 506.
For those who might be looking for the phrase "Kingdom of God" in the Gospel of Matthew, you will find it only 5 times(6:33;12:28;19:24;21:31,43). The rest of the "nearly 50 times" is the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" or an equivalent phrase or word. We will be studying Matthew next year. Perhaps we'll get a chance to discuss the reasons Matthew used Heaven instead of God in describing the Kingdom. Reverence for God's name is probably not the reason.
Ellen White has this to say about a common view of Christ's Kingdom:
But today in the religious world there are
multitudes who, as they believe, are working for
the establishment of the kingdom of Christ as an
earthly and temporal dominion. They desire to
make our Lord the ruler of the kingdoms of this
world, the ruler in its courts and camps, its
legislative halls, its palaces and market places.
They expect Him to rule through legal
enactments, enforced by human authority. Since
Christ is not now here in person, they themselves
will undertake to act in His stead, to execute the
laws of His kingdom. The establishment of such
a kingdom is what the Jews desired in the days
of Christ. They would have received Jesus, had
He been willing to establish a temporal dominion,
to enforce what they regarded as the laws of
God, and to make them the expositors of His will
and the agents of His authority. But He said, "My
kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36. He
would not accept the earthly throne. (God's Amazing Grace, p13)