King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Thursday, October 08, 2015
Chapters: Matthew 20-21 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-281.html
Message Title: The Kingdom Of God In The Kingdom of Heaven
Hello My Friend,
Jesus used the terms "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God" interchangeably in places in the Gospels, most Christians think they are one and the same. They will be, but not until the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ when He rules the world for a thousand years on the throne of His father David (descended through the flesh) in Jerusalem. “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” - Revelation 20:4-6.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, these are those who are saved and have received Christ as their Saviour before their physical death before He returned. We must first become part of the Kingdom of God before we can join Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. As stated by Jesus in Chapter 19, many that are first shall be last in the kingdom of heaven, He goes on to explain this further.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” - Matthew 20:1,11-16.
A man that is an householder, Jesus is the master of the whole family of God, whether they are in heaven or in earth. When He returns He will reign over all the children of God, both in heaven and on earth temporarily for a thousand years in Jerusalem. The Gospel dispensation or times of the Messiah is the distribution of good and evil, in the divine government of God. The first meaning the Jews, they learned of the Gospel first, last, meaning the Gentiles who learned of the Gospel after the Jews, they will be the first to accept Him, while the Jews will follow once they finally realize He is their Messiah. Both Jews and Gentiles will have the same privileges, and while many will try to earn their way into heaven, only those who accept the Gospel and receive Christ will be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” - Romans 2:9-11.
For there is no respect of persons with God. There is a reason why our works do not get us to heaven, we would all be boasting about how we got there instead of giving God the glory for it. By now, the twelve disciples were feeling pretty good about themselves, especially knowing that they were going to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven. The sons of Zebedee were James and John, their mother came to Him and asked if He would allow them to sit on each side of the throne when He reigns. Of course, this caused a quarrel with the other ten until Jesus put a stop to it. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:25-28.
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: there are tons of biblical examples as well as non biblical of men and women who did a great work for God, who led thousands to Christ. While all these things are good, those who humble themselves as servants in the love of Christ are the ones most pleasing to God. “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” - 1 Corinthians 13:2-4.
Now, we come to the Kingdom of God, how do we become part of the Kingdom of God? Jesus explains through another parable. “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” - Matthew 21:28-32.
The Kingdom of God, this is the spiritual Kingdom, righteousness through faith in the risen Saviour who will return to Earth one day and reign in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is when all this is complete and the devil with all his minions will be cast into the lake of fire that He will judge the dead, those who have not received Him as their Saviour. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:12-15.
Today's Prayer: God, You are my witness that I not only believe in Your Son, but received Him as my Saviour, and I am trusting only in Him for my salvation. Until that time comes I want to live the richest life I can here on earth with You leading the way. Lead me and guide me, show me Your ways, and help me to have compassion on everyone You introduce in my life. Let me not be deceived, easily offended, or afraid to tell those I know or come into contact with that Jesus lives in me and I am living my life the way He wants me to live. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe To Our Devotions: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Date: Thursday, October 08, 2015
Chapters: Matthew 20-21 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-281.html
Message Title: The Kingdom Of God In The Kingdom of Heaven
Hello My Friend,
Jesus used the terms "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God" interchangeably in places in the Gospels, most Christians think they are one and the same. They will be, but not until the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ when He rules the world for a thousand years on the throne of His father David (descended through the flesh) in Jerusalem. “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” - Revelation 20:4-6.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, these are those who are saved and have received Christ as their Saviour before their physical death before He returned. We must first become part of the Kingdom of God before we can join Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. As stated by Jesus in Chapter 19, many that are first shall be last in the kingdom of heaven, He goes on to explain this further.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” - Matthew 20:1,11-16.
A man that is an householder, Jesus is the master of the whole family of God, whether they are in heaven or in earth. When He returns He will reign over all the children of God, both in heaven and on earth temporarily for a thousand years in Jerusalem. The Gospel dispensation or times of the Messiah is the distribution of good and evil, in the divine government of God. The first meaning the Jews, they learned of the Gospel first, last, meaning the Gentiles who learned of the Gospel after the Jews, they will be the first to accept Him, while the Jews will follow once they finally realize He is their Messiah. Both Jews and Gentiles will have the same privileges, and while many will try to earn their way into heaven, only those who accept the Gospel and receive Christ will be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” - Romans 2:9-11.
For there is no respect of persons with God. There is a reason why our works do not get us to heaven, we would all be boasting about how we got there instead of giving God the glory for it. By now, the twelve disciples were feeling pretty good about themselves, especially knowing that they were going to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven. The sons of Zebedee were James and John, their mother came to Him and asked if He would allow them to sit on each side of the throne when He reigns. Of course, this caused a quarrel with the other ten until Jesus put a stop to it. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:25-28.
And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: there are tons of biblical examples as well as non biblical of men and women who did a great work for God, who led thousands to Christ. While all these things are good, those who humble themselves as servants in the love of Christ are the ones most pleasing to God. “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” - 1 Corinthians 13:2-4.
Now, we come to the Kingdom of God, how do we become part of the Kingdom of God? Jesus explains through another parable. “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” - Matthew 21:28-32.
The Kingdom of God, this is the spiritual Kingdom, righteousness through faith in the risen Saviour who will return to Earth one day and reign in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is when all this is complete and the devil with all his minions will be cast into the lake of fire that He will judge the dead, those who have not received Him as their Saviour. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:12-15.
Today's Prayer: God, You are my witness that I not only believe in Your Son, but received Him as my Saviour, and I am trusting only in Him for my salvation. Until that time comes I want to live the richest life I can here on earth with You leading the way. Lead me and guide me, show me Your ways, and help me to have compassion on everyone You introduce in my life. Let me not be deceived, easily offended, or afraid to tell those I know or come into contact with that Jesus lives in me and I am living my life the way He wants me to live. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe To Our Devotions: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Do You Know For Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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