The Kingdom of God – The Invisible Kingdom
Israel rejected Jehovah as their king because he wasn’t like the king of neighboring nations. They wanted an earthly king they could see in all his glory and splendor. Aking that would go before them in battle. They wanted the pomp and circumstance that went along with paying homage to him. The God of Abraham who had delivered them out of Egypt and done so many wonders was invisible. He spoke through his prophets. Even though he cared for them and went before them in battle, he was not like other kings.
Gods Invisible Kingdom
God’s rule and the kingdom are not always visible in the natural realm. Make no mistake, he is the king of the universe, the heavens, and the earth. His kingdom does not always manifest the way we think it should. When he sent his son Jesus into the world, he did not arrive in majesty. Instead, he was born in lowly circumstances in a cattle shed to Mary and Joseph. They had to flee Bethlehem to Egypt because their lives were in danger and when they returned they settled in a little town of Galilee.
Not very impressive for the king of kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus died a most painful and humiliating death on the cross, not what you would expect for the messiah that had been prophesied about for hundreds of years. Even his disciples had secretly thought that he would miraculously rise up as king and warrior to free them from the oppression and tyranny of the Romans, but instead, he was betrayed and sentenced to death.
Gods Plan of Redemption
It was His plan, that through the humiliation and death of Jesus many would be saved and set free from the power of the devil. This was God’s plan all along to redeem man back to himself. This was his plan from the beginning of time, to destroy the works of the devil.
1 Corinthian 2:7 – 11
But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
The kingdom of God is inward-focused and cannot be reduced to appearances. Our perspectives must be adjusted so that they are heavenly focused. Knowing that 1,000 years on earth is like a day in light of eternity should change the way we live here on earth knowing that eternity is more real than our short time here on earth. A full and long life of 100 years, is actually less than 2.5 hours in light of eternity!
1 Corinthians 4: 16 -18
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[ being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Living in the Light of the Invisible Kingdom
In light of this reality, how should we live our daily lives? What principles should guide our lives? The examples and principles abound in the word of God, especially in the Gospels. In Matthew chapter five, Jesus gives his sermon on the mount. Jesus takes natural principles and turns them on their heads in the Beatitudes. We are commanded to love our enemies and those who despitefully use us. He tells us that the kingdom of God welcomes the humble and the poor. He said that adultery can be committed without even touching a woman, just the mere thought of adultery is as real as the act. The rules of this invisible kingdom appear to be completely at odds with the principles of the world.
Matthew 5:27
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
1 Corinthian 13:8 – 13
8Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.