532 - Pulling Back the Curtain of the Kingdom of God

The Two Dimensions of the Kingdom of God

We have spent some time discovering incredible truths about the Kingdom of God and its dual dimensions. For the Kingdom manifests itself today, in our daily lives, and also tomorrow, when Christ the King comes and ushers in the fulfillment of His Kingdom. In other words, the Kingdom is manifest in several realms and the Gospels speak of entering the Kingdom of God both today, and tomorrow.

Let me explain.

First, and most important, the Kingdom of God is His rule and reign over creation. Where He rules and reigns, there is His Kingdom. Today, presently, it is not a physical Kingdom. But it will be someday. And that is the tomorrow realm of His Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is the acknowledgement and submission to God’s will, which is His rule and reign in your life, and receiving the promised blessings that naturally follow obedience. However, the New Testament clearly shows that the will of God will not be perfectly realized in this age. At best, we experience a taste of what God is like. We still see in a “mirror, dimly” (1 Cor. 13:12).

For now (at this present time, today) we see in a mirror, dimly (dark, that which is difficult or impossible to understand, in riddles), but then (when He appears, future) face to face (countenance, personal presence, what is before one’s eyes). Now (at the present time, today) I know (ginṓskō) in part (allotment, share, portion), but then (when He appears, future) I shall know (epiginṓskō) just as I also (likewise, in addition to) am known (epiginṓskō) – 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Now we can know and experience the Kingdom of God, His rule and reign over all creation, in part, dimly, incompletely, but we can experience it, nonetheless. But when He comes and ushers in the full manifestation of the Kingdom, then we will know in full, completely, in the same way we will also be known in full, completely, with nothing to hide.

Or, as it says, “face to face.”

Tasting of the Kingdom of God in this Life

Let’s dig a bit deeper with just a question or two.

Question: When does all this happen? When is the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God?

Answer: At the Second Coming of Christ

There are two comings of Christ, one past and one future. First, Jesus came in a manger, as a baby to live as a man on earth. And next, He will come in glory, when He comes to set up His Kingdom, defeat the usurper, and rule and reign on this earth for 1,000 years.

Since there are two comings of Christ, there are also two manifestations of His Kingdom we can experience. One we can experience in part while on earth. And the other we experience in power and glory when Christ returns. But the good news is that now, while we are living on earth, we can experience a taste, a foreshadowing, a hint of what life in His Kingdom will be like. And we can know what blessings He has in store for those who obey Him and submit to His rule and reign voluntarily and out of love.

Much like the disciples did on the Mount of Transfiguration. What? Really?

Yes, really. Join us as we discover how to experience the Kingdom of God today by looking at what happened with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (and the words He spoke right before that event). There are some hidden gems in this amazing story. Are you interested? Intrigued? Then keep listening.

To download the slides for this message, click – HERE