“The Kingdom Part 2” by Dave Bessey

www.reach413.com

Before I do a deep dive in Isaiah, let us define our terms, that way we are playing from the same sheet of music, so to speak.

“The “The Kingdom, “Gosprl of the Kingdom” and references to “the Kingdom of God” and “the Kingdom of Heavrn” are used repeatedly in connection with out Lord and King, Jesus and His work on earth. The word gospels simply means “good news,” (in greek it was the word for “scout” and the term translated “kingdom” is the Greek word basileia, which means “the realm in which a sovereign king rules.” Thus Jesus’ Kingdom is whereever He is. and the Good News is about our King. Throughout the New Testament, the word “kingdom” consistently refers to the rule of Christ in the hearts of believers, since, for the time being, Christ’s physical kingdom is not of this world, yet He is here, none the less, as He lives in us by the Spirit:

John‬ ‭18‬:‭36‬-‭37‬ ‭WEBUS‬‬

“Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But NOW my Kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.””

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Apostle Eddie Marstas

“Many are still trying to see the kingdom through observation or the natural eye. The natural eye is by intellect or by natural sight. The kingdom is within you and can only be seen by the spirit of God with us. We see the kingdom by the spirit and by faith. We see by spiritual revelation, knowledge and understanding. We will never see kingdom by religion or by the laws of men. We see kingdom by repentance not of sin but of false knowledge. Repentance is a change of mind or belief.”

When Jesus began His three-year earthly ministry, He preached that “the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 10:9; cf. Matthew 4:17). Mark 1:14–15 gives a concise description of Jesus’ primary focus during His time on earth: “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” When asked to define His kingdom, Jesus explained it this way: “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed. . . . The kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Luke 17:20–21). Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom of God is a matter “of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Times of Restoration as in all things new:

After healing a man who was lame from birth, Peter explained to the people gathered at the temple that the man had not been healed by Peter’s power. In his explanation of where the power came, he mentioned “the times of restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21, NKJV).

The healed man was walking and leaping and praising God (Acts 3:8), and Peter made sure the onlookers knew that the healing was not done by human power (Acts 3:12). The power was from Jesus, whom the people had disowned and had crucified (Acts 3:13–15). The healing was on the basis of faith in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:16).

Earlier, they had rejected Jesus in ignorance, Peter explains (Acts 3:17). Christ had to suffer and die, just as God had revealed to the prophets (Acts 3:18). The people now had an opportunity to change their minds about Jesus and to return to their Messiah. If they did, they would be forgiven, and times of refreshing would come (Acts 3:19). The same Messiah who died for them would one day return for them (Acts 3:20). Now, Christ is in heaven until the time of restoration of all things that the Hebrew prophets had described (Acts 3:21).

The time of restoration of all things is described by Isaiah:

Isaiah‬ ‭35‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭WEBUS‬‬

“The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see Yahweh’s glory, the excellence of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm. Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay. A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there. No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there. Then Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.””

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The time of restoration of all things is mentioned by Paul: “The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). John recorded Jesus saying, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).

In the temple, Peter pointed his hearers to Jesus, reminding them that God had promised through Moses that God would send another prophet to whom they should listen (Acts 3:22–23; cf. Deuteronomy 18:15). The coming of that prophet would be associated with the time when God will restore everything. Samuel and others had announced “these days” (Acts 3:24)—the time of the restoration of all things. The prophet Malachi announced that another prophet would come before the day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5), and that day would be associated with a restoration (Malachi 4:6). These prophecies were not irrelevant for the people. It was important that they understood that not only was the Messiah coming, but that He had already come.

Peter reminded his audience that they were the sons of the prophets and partakers of the covenant God had made with Abraham (Acts 3:25). In addition to promises of blessing for those who were descended from Abraham, that covenant promised blessing for all the families of the earth through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:3b; Acts 3:25). But the first promises of that covenant (Genesis 12:2–3a) included blessings for the descendants of Abraham—which Peter’s audience were. Peter explains that it was for them first that God raised up His Servant, the Messiah, and sent Him to bless the people by turning them from their wickedness (Acts 3:26). Until the time of the restoration of all things, when God’s covenant promises to the descendants of Abraham would be fulfilled, Jesus is in heaven. The people still had time to change their minds about Him and recognize Him as their Messiah.

The healing miracle of the man born lame in Acts 3was a vivid example of the power of Jesus to restore all things. The people at the temple that day were given an opportunity to repent, moving from unbelief to belief. All who believe in the Messiah will not be disappointed (Romans 9:33; 10:11; 1 Peter 2:6).

Likewise, when we read of the miracles and signs that Jesus and His apostles accomplished, we can recognize who Jesus is and live by believing in His name (John 20:31). One day, the time of the restoration of all things will arrive. God will keep His covenant promises. As surely as those days will come, God will also keep His promises to all who believe in Him. Jesus said that the believing one has eternal life (John 6:47). Just as He has power to heal a lame man, He has power to forgive sin and provide eternal life to all who believe in Him

The gospel of the kingdom is the good-news message of repentance, redemption, and restoration offered by God to all who will receive Christ. Those who accept this offer become part of His eternal kingdom (John 1:12). Those who choose to remain in their sin cannot be a part of this kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 5:19–21). Although grace makes this offer available to anyone who will receive it, Jesus warned that it would be very difficult to enter His kingdom and few would do so (Matthew 7:14).

The gospel of the kingdom is the news that there is freedom from our slavery to sin if we will repent and turn to God (Romans 6:18–19). Our Redeemer has come, but it is difficult to enter God’s kingdom, not because God requires impossible standards for us as in laws, but because we do not want to repent and change. We tend to love the darkness more than the Light (John 3:19). Many would rather cling to their old sinful identities than allow Jesus to create them anew (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Those who receive the gospel of the kingdom become citizens of heaven and are freed from bondage to this world (Galatians 4:3–9). Second Corinthians 5:20 refers to God’s children as “ambassadors” for our heavenly Father. Just as an earthly foreign ambassador retains his national identity when representing his country in another, the spiritual ambassadors of God’s kingdom owe their allegiance to God even as they reside in this world. We must follow or obey our heavenly Father’s code of conduct while on earth. We need not conform to this world’s habits, values, and lifestyle, because this is not our home (Romans 12:1–2; 1 John 2:15–17).

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). So, although we must live here until God calls us home, we are not to live for ourselves or according to this world’s value system, realm or kingdom. Those who have been bought by the blood of Jesus have been given the right to live according to God’s value system. Citizens of the kingdom of God live here on assignment from our Father the King. Living with a kingdom mindset empowers us to make wiser decisions as we invest our lives in furthering the gospel of the kingdom.

God's children have the promise of ruling and reigning with Christ in His future kingdom on earth, but also advancing His Spiritual Kingdom now.

The song of praise sung by the twenty-four elders in heaven one day will include these lines:

“You were slain,

and with your blood you purchased for God

persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9–10).

Let us do the Reader’s Digest” version, and close with this vision:

Isaiah 58 and 61 shows us what “Gospel of the Kingdom” does:

Isaiah 58:1‬-‭12‬ ‭WEBUS‬‬

““Cry aloud! Don’t spare! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Declare to my people their disobedience, and to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways. As a nation that did righteousness, and didn’t forsake the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments. They delight to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you don’t see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you don’t notice?’ “Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and oppress all your laborers. Behold, you fast for strife and contention, and to strike with the fist of wickedness. You don’t fast today so as to make your voice to be heard on high. Is this the fast that I have chosen? A day for a man to humble his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under himself? Will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Yahweh? “Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Isn’t it to distribute your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light will break out as the morning, and your healing will appear quickly; then your righteousness shall go before you, and Yahweh’s glory will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and Yahweh will answer. You will cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away from among you the yoke, finger pointing, and speaking wickedly; and if you pour out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will rise in darkness, and your obscurity will be as the noonday; and Yahweh will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones strong. You will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters don’t fail. Those who will be of you will rebuild the old waste places. You will raise up the foundations of many generations. You will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Paths with Dwellings.”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭WEBUS‬‬

“They will rebuild the old ruins. They will raise up the former devastated places. They will repair the ruined cities that have been devastated for many generations. Strangers will stand and feed your flocks. Foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards. But you will be called Yahweh’s priests. Men will call you the servants of our God. You will eat the wealth of the nations. You will boast in their glory. Instead of your shame you will have double. Instead of dishonor, they will rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they will possess double. Everlasting joy will be to them.”

The vision shows a total understanding what fasting and prayer is for. We are called to go not stay. We are to have impact through His righteousness here and now. To reach the lost and set captives free. To rebuild the ruins. and and open spiritually blind eyes and deaf ears who have been blinded by false religion and the false gospel. Preach and Reach everyone who is open, but don’t Leach. Reach with the Truth with the Gospel of our King in love.