Day 274 of 365
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus proclaimed and explained the kingdom of God - God's rule over all things. In the Old Testament, God established his kingdom politically under David. When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, the prophets continued to speak of the reestablishment of the kingdom of God under the coming Messiah (Isa 9:6 - 7). When Jesus came to earth, he preached that the kingdom of God had arrived (Mt 4:17; 5:3; Lk 11:20). With Jesus' coming, God's redemptive rule has freed men and women from Satan's power. When Jesus cast out demons, he demonstrated the reality of the kingdom. And through his parables, Jesus described what the kingdom was like (Mt 25).
What we know from Jesus' own accounts of the kingdom is that, from an earthly perspective, it turns worldly values and priorities upside down. In God's kingdom, the poor are rich, those who mourn will be comforted, the meek are powerful, and seekers, mercy-givers, peacemakers, and those who are persecuted are the ones who will inherit the kingdom (Mt 5:3 - 12). Jesus' ministry on earth ushered in the kingdom; the coming of the Spirit (Ac 2:1 - 13) brought it into a new phase; and someday, when the dead in Christ are raised and Jesus comes again to establish his earthly kingdom, it will be fully realized in all of its splendor, justice and perfection (Rev 22:1 - 5).
Jesus, I thank you for your kingdom-a safe, just, peaceful place where love reigns. Help me to live a life that draws others toward your kingdom. Amen.
Luke 11:20 NASB
20 But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Matthew 5:3-12 NASB
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Revelation 22:1-5 NASB
1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
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