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The "Kingdom of God" is NOW Selected from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
See related topic: The Kingdom of God (link) 7/1/01; 2/02; 3/03; 2/04; 3/04; 4/04; 8/04; 1/05; 4/05; 7/05; 9/05; 12/2/05 CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author This chapter (or "tablet") is a corollary to my chapter on the Kingdom of God (link), and is intended to be read and considered directly after that chapter. I separated this portion from the original "Kingdom of God" chapter, because the Biblical scriptures that follow (below, on this page) clearly indicate that God's Kingdom, here on earth, has already begun… NOW. The Kingdom of God, as the following Biblical references state, is not simply an ethereal post-mortem "reward" -- granted "later" to certain individuals who claim to have "accepted" and performed an arbitrary batch of "man-ordained" promises, deeds, creeds, and works. Indeed.... the Kingdom of God is "now"... not at some ill-defined time in the future. The "Kingdom of God" -- the "spiritual dwelling-place" of God and God's people (link) -- begins "now", in this life.... and becomes evident at the moment an individual is awakened (link), by God, and made aware of the reality of God…. and when that individual is granted, by God, the "faith" and understanding to perceive the presence of God's Spirit (link) dwelling within himself. My understanding is that God never intended for the "Kingdom of God" -- as frequently referred-to by the Christ -- to be solely a remote and virtually unattainable future "compensation" for those who promise to adopt and "obey" a certain group of oaths and works and obligations.... dreamed-up and specified by various denominational groups of men-selected-by-other-men. And, yes, of course -- there is also a "Kingdom of God" to come…. a "resurrection" for God's people.... a life-to-come in the Kingdom of Heaven. But.... please observe God's message in the scriptures quoted below. Those individuals who are "included" in the Eternal Kingdom, are selected by God (link)… and not by a group of humans; or by a specific "church".... and not because of "adherence" and "obedience" to this-or-that doctrinal invention. So, the "Kingdom of God" is both now, in this life…and later, in the life-to-come. Whosoever is allowed to enter the Kingdom, whenever that may be…is God's business -- and God's choice, for God's own reasons. "Inclusion" by God, is irrevocable.... and cannot be negated or cancelled by human-beings -- or by a rigidly doctrinal "religion", or by a "church". Who can argue with this conclusion? (See link Salvation is God's decision; not man's.) Note the foillowing Biblical references, concerning the "Kingdom of God". Observe the quoted words that indicate that "now".... that is, not in the "future".... is the time of the Kingdom of God. Read these out loud, for yourself. I am hoping that the reader will review and "store" the Biblical information from the "main" tablet about "The Kingdom of God" (linked above)…. then continue here, in this "tablet", for "extrapolation" about the fascinating subject of the "Kingdom of God". Mark 1:14 (KJV) Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God IS at hand." Luke 17: 20 (NRSV) Once, Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was coming, and He answered, "The Kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the Kingdom of God IS among you." John 5: 24 (NRSV) Jesus speakibng: Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment (link); but has passed from death to life. 25 "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is NOW here, when the dead (JNT: the spiritually "dead") will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear, will live. 2 Corinthians 6: 1 (NIV) As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For He (God) says (quoting Isaiah 49: 8), "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation, I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor -- now is the day of salvation. Same (NEB) Sharing in God's work, we urge this appeal upon you. You have received the grace of God. Do not let it go for nothing. God's own words are: "In the hour of my favour, I gave heed to you. On the day of deliverance, I came to your aid." The hour of favour has NOW come. NOW, I say, has the day of deliverance dawned. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NEB) When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world; the old order has gone, and a new order has already begun. From first to last, this has been the work of God. He has reconciled us men to Himself, through Christ. Hebrews 9: 11 (NEB) But now Christ has come, High Priest of good things already in being. The tent of His priesthood is a greater and more perfect one, not made by men's hands; that is, not belonging to the created world. John 4: 23 (NRSV) Jesus speaking: But the hour is coming, and IS NOW HERE, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father seeks such as these to worship Him. John 12: 30 (NRSV) Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 NOW is the judgment of this world; NOW the ruler of this world will be driven out. What can be added to these powerful words.... from God? |