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

God’s Throne is in “the farthest sides of the north” (Isa. 14:13)[i] If a person could travel north from Earth, leave our galaxy, and pass north of all other galaxies, he would reach God’s holy mountain. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. (Psalms 48: 1,2) This is why God is the God Most High, “For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth (Psalms 47: 2)”

Jesus Christ in time past left the dwelling place of God, in the northern most parts of the universe, a place of universal rule, to the earth, the only place in the vast universe in which Scripture states that disobedience entered God’s universal Kingdom. Jesus came from the farthest sides of the north to accomplish that which man, who was created to rule the earth, was not able to accomplish. Jesus came as a Man and was completely obedient to God so that man could realize that which he was created for in the beginning – to rule the earth.

“Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things”. (Ephesians 4:10)

Jesus came from heaven as a Man and was completely obedient to God the Father and overcame all things, Therefore God has given Him rule over the part of God’s overall Kingdom in which rebellion has entered – the earth. This is the gospel which Jesus spoke of continually. The gospel of the Kingdom of heaven. The good news of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God which Jesus Christ when he returns will rule – The Kingdom over this earth. One place in a vast universe. Christ will sit on His own throne. He will leave a universal throne, at God’s right side, return to earth and sit on His own throne and rule over the earth with a rod of iron for 1,000 years.

“Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 25).

It will take 1,000 years for Christ to put an end to all disobedience. This is why Revelation chapter 20, verses 1 through 7 state the Kingdom being 1,000 years six times – because that’s exactly what it means: 1,000 years. [ii]

When Jesus commanded Jews, who were a saved people, to follow Him, He meant to follow in His footsteps, and just as He found Himself in a position to rule over the earth, those who followed Him would also find themselves in a position to rule over the earth. And this is exactly what you find in the Scriptures: They forsook all and followed Him.

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4: 18-19)

11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. (Luke 5:11)

27 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. (Luke 5:27-28)

11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, [iii] (Luke 9:11a)

And because they left all and followed Him, Jesus promised them positions of power and authority in the Kingdom of heaven.

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[a] or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:27-29New King James Version NKJV)

It is impossible for anyone to be where Jesus is unless they follow Him, for He is “the Way.”

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)

37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10: 37 – 39)

Just as Jews 2,000 years ago followed Christ will find themselves in positions of power and authority in the coming age, Christians today who follow Christ will find themselves in of positions of power and authority in the coming age, in the Kingdom of heaven, when that in Matthew chapter 25, verse 31 comes to pass, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.”

 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)

26: 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; (Revelation 2: 26-27).

Man was created to rule the earth. Scripture begins this way, and Scriptures ends with man realizing that which he was created for in the beginning. The Man Jesus Christ will rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and those who deny themselves and follow Jesus will also sit on His throne and be given power over the nations. Christians minds need to be off the world and set on the age to come. This age is passing away and everything with it, but the coming Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom.

 

[i] For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation

On the farthest sides of the north; Isaiah 14:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

[ii] Revelation 20:1-7New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan Bound 1,000 Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a[a] thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Satanic Rebellion Crushed

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison

[iii] 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. Luke 9:11