By Edward O’Hara, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU- LUKE17:20,21

By Edward O'Hara.

Jesus said “The kingdom of God is within you” to a people who were expecting a messiah to come who would deliver to them a physical kingdom after conquering their enemies. But, these expected a natural kingdom to be theirs by the hand of a judge/deliverer just as the judges like Samson, Moses, and others had in olden times.

But, the kingdom Jesus spoke of was one that delivered them from the natural men they were from the time Adam was made, to spiritual men for which Jesus came to make all men. From an inheritance through flesh and blood by a water birth from their mother's womb. To an inheritance through spiritual birth that made them children of God and heirs to His eternal and spiritual kingdom in heaven.

Both are literal kingdoms. And the Jew will have both by 1. being born again now. And 2. when Jesus returns at the end of the great tribulation to establish a kingdom on earth where the Jews will rule and reign with Him for 1,000 years. But, one is through natural means. Through a war between the antichrist and his followers and the returned Christ and His followers.

While the kingdom of heaven is attained only through spiritual means. Because we conquer death through our trust in the resurrection of Jesus. By grace through faith in Him without works of the flesh. By the power of God for an endless life.

This is why Paul said "we wrestle not with flesh and blood. But against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places".

But, Old Testament Israel wrestled only with flesh and blood. They fought against natural enemies to attain a natural kingdom. Giving no thought to the spiritual kingdom about which Jesus spoke when He told them "the kingdom of God is within you".

And they will receive their kingdom on earth with Jesus when He returns after the great tribulation. The time of Jacob's trouble meant to bring them to their knees in submission to their savior Jesus Christ. When "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." Just as Rev.1:7 says.

So keep these things in mind as you navigate the trials of this life. We do not seek a natural kingdom. Ours is spiritual. It is one that is right now within everyone who has trusted in Jesus. And will be our home for all eternity when we go to be with God after leaving these earthly houses behind through death or harpazo.

Either way we will be with Him forever if we have believed in Jesus' resurrection. And having confessed that He is Lord. Not seeking an earthly kingdom as the Jews do. But, the kingdom of God that is within us now, and the one we will live in when we go to be with Him.

If His kingdom is within you now by the spirit God birthed in you then you are heir to His heavenly kingdom. But, if you don't have the kingdom of God within you now, then you will not be in the kingdom of God later.

This is why Jesus said if you have believed in Him you will never die. Because those who have believed in Him will go from life to life. From this life with His kingdom within you. To the next life where you will be in His kingdom by God's power of resurrection for an endless life.

If you have not yet believed in Jesus and His resurrection then all you need to do to have eternal life is ask Him. Saying, "Jesus save me".

And by confessing with your mouth that He is Lord. And believing in your heart that He has raised from the dead.

Because in Rom.10:9,10 Paul tells us that it is with the heart man believes unto righteousness. Which is to know and trust Him. And it is with the mouth that confession is made unto salvation. Which is deliverance from natural to spiritual. And from mortality to immortality.

Do this and the kingdom of God will be within you now. Do this, because without the kingdom of God within you now you will be like the man Jesus spoke of in the parable in Mt.22:1-14 who showed up at the wedding feast who had no wedding clothes. Like him, you too will not be allowed in God's kingdom.

But, do this and you will be saved now. Do this and you will be a child of God and heir to His kingdom now. Do this and you will know Jesus. And then... I will see you there or in the air!