By Michael Harley

When Jesus was in the world, 2,000 years ago, He spoke, taught, and preached one thing – the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, or the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Two phrases with the same meaning. He spoke over and over about the coming Kingdom, when the Son of Man would sit on His own throne and reign over the world. [i]

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17)

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, (Matthew 4:23)

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. (Matthew 9:35a)

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14)

And He was preaching in their Synagogues throughout all Galilee (Mark 1:39a)

Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And, He preached the word to them. (Mark 2:2)

Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. (Mark 2:13)

And, again He began to teach by the sea (Mark 4:1)

And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. (Mark 6:2a)

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)

And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by al. (Luke 4:15)

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching. (Luke 5:17a)

Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. (Luke 6:6a)

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1a)

But when the multitude knew it, they followed Him, and He received them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9:11a)

Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. Luke 13:10)

And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. (Luke 13:22)

According to two verses, Jesus states that the very purpose He had come forth from heaven was to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of heaven/ the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

When they found Him, they said to Him, “
Everyone is looking for you.
But He said to them,
let us go into the next towns, that I may preach three also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their Synagogues throughout all Galilee. (Mark 1:37 – 39a)

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him and tried to Keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them,
I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:42, 43)

Luke in his second book to Theophilus, The Acts of the Apostles, states that Jesus was speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and that this was “all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up.”

The former account I made, o Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given Commandment s to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3)

Then referring back to the Gospel According to Luke, Zacchaeus and others thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately, but Jesus taught them that this was not the case. Jesus would have to return to heaven and receive the Kingdom and then return.

Now as they heard these things He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said, “ a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a Kingdom and to return. (Luke 19:11,12)

Then in Acts, Jesus after speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God ascended into heaven to receive the Kingdom.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And, while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. (Acts 1: 9-11)

Then in the book of Daniel, Daniel sees the same event in the verse above, but from a heavenly perspective, from the dwelling place of God.

“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14)

When Jesus disciples looked steadfastly toward heaven as Jesus went up, two men suddenly appeared in white apparel, and stated: Jesus will return just as He went up. And this is what will occur when the Son of Man comes in His glory, He went up into a cloud,  He will return with the clouds of heaven; two men in white apparel were present when He went up, two men in white apparel will be present when He returns. In both accounts of Luke and Matthew, when Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother and led them up on a high mountain they actually witnessed something that has not occurred to this day, the Son of Man coming in His glory. God transcends time and is able to take man and move him forward and back in time and this is what occurred in these verses. This explains Christ’s statement, “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Kingdom of God. And when they went up on a high mountain, who was there? Two men in white apparel, Moses and Elijah!

“When He comes in His own glory, and in His Fathers, and of the holy angels, but I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Kingdom of God”…But Peter and those with Him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him (Luke 9:26b,27,32)

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. (Matthew 17: 1 – 3)

Then Peter years later when writing his second epistle still had this event foremost in his mind and among other things stated, “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY”. Peter and the others were moved forward in time and were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ return.

Jesus Christ spoke of one thing during His earthly ministry, from the time He began until the day in which He was taken up – The Kingdom of God. The whole of the New Testament is about the Kingdom of God. The whole of the Bible is about the Kingdom of God, If one is instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven, he will have the key to understanding ALL Scripture. The one not instructed concerning the Kingdom of Heaven will not understand Scripture.

And He said, “To you it has been given to Know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ … Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” (Luke 8:10,18)

Christian’s are to have their complete focus on the Kingdom of God. They are to have their minds set on Christ returning, teaching other Christians these things, and positioning themselves and others in positions of power and authority in the coming Kingdom. They are to have their complete focus on the same thing, the word of God has it’s complete focus, on the Kingdom of God. Christians are to take their focus off the present Kingdom, under Satan, and to focus on the coming Kingdom when the Son of Man Comes in His glory, with His Holy Angels, and sits on the throne of His glory.

[i] Verses used in this lesson are as follows:

Matthew 4: 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.;9: ³⁵ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people

Mark 1: ⁴ John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins., ³⁹ And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

Mark 2: 2 Immediately[a] many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.’ 13 Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them.; 4:1  And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.,; 6:2 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!, 34  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Luke 4:15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all; Luke 5: 17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.; 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,; 9: ¹¹ But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

By Michael Harley

“But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ;12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. (1 Tim 5:11a, 12,15)[i]

Many Christians have a false belief that Satan has no power over them, but according to Scripture this is not the case. The Scripture above clearly states that Christians can and do grow wanton against Christ, cast off their first faith, and turn aside after Satan.

In Matthew chapter 10[ii], Christ calls His twelve disciples and gives them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and commands them not to go to anyone except the lost sheep of the house of Israel and once again commands them to cast out demons. The house of Israel was a nation of saved people.

Moses’ Final Blessing on Israel

” Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said: Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, (Deuteronomy 33:1,2a,29a)[iii]

O God of Israel, the Savior! 17 But Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever. (Isaiah 45:15b;17)[iv]

The nation of Israel during Christ’s ministry was just as saved as any Christian during the last 2,000 years is saved. And, during Christ’s ministry to the Jews you find that almost every time Jesus or His disciples cast out demons they were casting them out of saved people.

Even Judas Iscariot was empowered by Christ to “heal the sick cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Judas was just as saved as any other Israelite during his time, or for that matter, just as saved as any Christian today. Then after this empowerment by Christ, Judas is shown to have Satan enter him. And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.[v] (John 13:26b;27a)

In Matthew chapter 16[vi], Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, and Jesus said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Christians today, just as saved Jews in Christs time can be taken captive by the devil to do his will.

What man may think about having power and authority over the devil is one thing, and is of no importance whatsoever, but what is important is what God and His Word has to say about the matter. Everything that Christians do, whether in a gathering of worship or in the world at large should be carefully considered, for Christians doing things and having bitter envy, and self-seeking in their hearts is earthly, sensual, demonic.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there”. (James 3:13-16)

 

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[i] 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ;12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. (1 Tim 5:11a, 12,15)

[ii] Sending Out the Twelve

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,[c] cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Mathew 10:5-10

[iii] Deuteronomy 33New King James Version (NKJV)

Moses’ Final Blessing on Israel

33 Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said: “The Lord came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came with ten thousands of saints; From His right hand Came a fiery law for them. 3  Yes, He loves the people; All His saints are in Your hand; They sit down at Your feet; Everyone receives Your words. 4  Moses commanded a law for us, A heritage of the congregation of Jacob. 5  And He was King in Jeshurun, When the leaders of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Israel together. 6  “Let Reuben live, and not die, Nor let his men be few.” 7 And this he said of Judah: “Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people; Let his hands be sufficient for him,

And may You be a help against his enemies.” 8 And of Levi he said: “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim be with Your holy one, Whom You tested at Massah, And with whom You contended at the waters of Meribah, 9  Who says of his father and mother, ‘I have not seen them’; Nor did he acknowledge his brothers, Or know his own children;

For they have observed Your word And kept Your covenant. 10  They shall teach Jacob Your judgments, And Israel Your law. They shall put incense before You, And a whole burnt sacrifice on Your altar. 11  Bless his substance, Lord, And accept the work of his hands; Strike the loins of those who rise against him,

And of those who hate him, that they rise not again.” 12 Of Benjamin he said: “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders.” 13 And of Joseph he said: “Blessed of the Lord is his land, With the precious things of heaven, with the dew,

And the deep lying beneath, 14  With the precious fruits of the sun, With the precious produce of the months, 15

With the best things of the ancient mountains, With the precious things of the everlasting hills, 16  With the precious things of the earth and its fullness, And the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let the blessing come ‘on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.’17  His glory is like a firstborn bull, And his horns like the horns of the wild ox; Together with them He shall push the peoples To the ends of the earth; They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And they are the thousands of Manasseh.” 18 And of Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, And Issachar in your tents! 19  They shall call the peoples to the mountain; There they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness; For they shall partake of the abundance of the seas And of treasures hidden in the sand.” 20 And of Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges Gad; He dwells as a lion, And tears the arm and the crown of his head. 21  He provided the first part for himself, Because a lawgiver’s portion was reserved there. He came with the heads of the people; He administered the justice of the Lord, And His judgments with Israel.” 22 And of Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s whelp; He shall leap from Bashan.” 23 And of Naphtali he said: “O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, And full of the blessing of the Lord, Possess the west and the south.” 24 And of Asher he said: “Asher is most blessed of sons; Let him be favored by his brothers, And let him dip his foot in oil. 25  Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be. 26  “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. 27  The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’ 28  Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew. 29  Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.”

[iv] Isaiah 45: 15  Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior! But Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever

[v] John 13:26-27 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

[vi] Matthew 16:22-23 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

By Michael Harley

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” Hebrews 3:1a[i]

Christians have been called to a place of rulership which is in the heavens. This is the place which the nation of Israel had been called, but rejected. This heavenly calling was taken from them, and a new creation, a new nation, the Church was brought into existence to be the recipient of that which Israel rejected.

“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. (Matthew 21:43)

This place in the heavens during Israel’s past calling was ruled by angels – Satan and his angels, is currently ruled by Satan and his angels, and will continue to be ruled by Satan and his angels until the return of Jesus Christ.

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him[a] all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (Luke 4: 5–6)

 the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 3:10b)[ii]

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. (Revelation 12:10)

God Himself appointed Satan and his angels rule over the Kingdoms of the world from the heavenly places.

the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. (Dan 5:21b)[iii]

Christians are currently being called out of the world to heavenly positions of power and authority, over the nations, with Christ.

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’(Revelation 2:26,27,29)

But just as the nation of Israel 2,000 years ago, found themselves completely at home in the world and doing all the things that the world did, Christians today, find themselves completely at home in the world and doing all the things that the world does.

For our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20a)[iv] The Greek word for “citizenship” is “politeria”[v], in which we get our English word politics. For our politics are in heaven. Our involvement or concern is in the change of power in the heavenly places, not the change of powers of flesh and blood. Christians should be completely focused on being faithful toward God and being obedient to His commandments so that when Christ returns that which He said will be fulfilled:  Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.( Matthew 24: 46-47)

But today Christians involvement and concern are in the change of power with the current governments of this present world – authority ruled over by Satan and his angels. No Christian should be in places of government in this present world, nor should they be placing persons in governmental positions in this present world. The time for Christians to rule is future with Christ, not present under Satan and his angels. Christians are not to be exalting themselves in the present world, but are to be humbling themselves and teaching other Christians how to conduct themselves in the present world of darkness so that they will be exalted in the world to come.

“ For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.” (Heb.2:5)

In the world to come angels will be cast out of the heavens above this world and Christ and Christians found to have overcome will then move into these positions and rule during the Messianic Age.

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[i] Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, Hebrews 3:1

[ii][ii]  to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, Ephesians 3:10

[iii] 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. Dan 5:21

[iv] For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Phil. 3:20

[v] πολίτευμα (politeuma 4175) conversation [KJV] the being or the result of being a πολίτης (politēs 4177) (a member of a free city or state); citizenship, life as a citizen. Reference(s) Politeia; From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: According to Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon a meaning of politeia is “the conditions and rights of the citizen, or citizenship”, analogous to the Latin civitas.[1]

Politeia,[2] in Greek means the community of citizens in a city / state. It should not be confused with “regime” that is meant by politeuma[3] or “Status quo” that is meant by kathestos.[4] The regime is the word describing the political situation of the community of citizens in a city/state, and “kathestos” means also the general situation of an object, an agreement, or something else.

“Politeia” is derived from both the root word Polis meaning city/state,[5] and from the root verb “politeuomai” that means I am acting as an active citizen of the city state.