The Kingdom Of God; Further Studies - Part 4
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
February 1, 2006
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In the prior newsletters, there has been a steady unfolding of truth about the Kingdom of God. Since the gospel writers concurred on many similar themes about the kingdom, those items covered in the previous newsletters will not be reworked. However, their presence stands sentinel over the progression of this study. February 1, 2006 The Kingdom Of God Further Studies Part 4 Mystery of the Kingdom Jesus spoke about the "mystery of the Kingdom of God." This mystery was protected by the use of parables and revealed only to those chosen to understand. With this one phrase came exclusion and inclusion, thus creating a spiritual barrier to multitudes and a cause for rejoicing to those within the Kingdom. That barrier still exists. It is the defining attribute for those who walk in the Spirit and receive revelation from Him. Mark 4:10-12 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, 'To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so thatJesus said to His Disciples that they were "given" (NT:1325 Gr. didomi, a term used in the KJV as: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (with the hand), strike (with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.) to know the mystery. Kingdom awareness was a constant with Jesus and subsequently with His followers. Kingdom ownership, Kingdom knowledge, and secrets of the Kingdom were open to them. The thirst for "more of the Kingdom," characterized their lives. Their awareness of their own personal citizenship in the Kingdom increased as they "owned the Kingdom." The Pauline epistles alone stand as evidence of "knowing the mystery of the Kingdom of God." Paul centered his teaching around this "ownership." 1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.Commentators pounce on the word "steward." (Stewards of the mysteries of God) Kai (NT:2532, ) economy/ oikonomous (NT:3623,) mystery/ musteerioon (NT:3466,) God/ Theou (NT:2316), Economists of the divine mysteries. (Adams and Clarke). Stewards act as a substitute for the person of their master. "The office of steward was to provide those things which were necessary for the use of a family. And so the office of a minister of the gospel, and a steward of its mysteries, is to dispense such instructions, guidance, counsel, etc., as may be requisite to build up the church of Christ; to make known those sublime truths which are contained in the gospel, but which had not been made known before the revelation of Jesus Christ, and which are, therefore, called 'mysteries (Barnes).'""Stewards (Luke 12:42; 1 Peter 4:10) - were not the depositaries, but dispensers of the grace given us ('rightly dividing,' or dispensing it) to others (Jamieson, Faucett & Brown)." The "mysteries of the Kingdom" should be dispensed as standard fare for pulpit and pew. The profoundly deep underlayment which attends all Scripture should constitute the plowing of all who claim the five fold ministry. Kingdomites have been "given" the gift of "knowing the mysteries of the Kingdom;" they had best be employed in grasping and dispensing the truths revealed to them. Their interest must be "the Kingdom." To have an ever growing understanding of the "Kingdom," should constantly be his or her priority. Withholding truth from their fellows can never be an option. Creating opportunity for learning and dispensing from the treasury of the Spirit should form the basis for assembly and fellowship. The free-flow of revelation, accompanied by the gifts is the only round table to which the Church must attend. 1 Cor 2:4-7, 13-14 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:Now these passages define what is meant by "possessing the kingdom." This is the premise for walking among believers-it is to speak the mysteries of God! (Many times has the phone rung and some stranger, who has read something that illumined his/her heart, blurted out "Do you know how wonderful it is to discuss these things with someone…I have no one who walks in this, no one with whom to discuss these truths." My answer sympathetically has been, "Yes, I know." ) How can this be? Those who are citizens of the Kingdom have the wonderful joy of disseminating that which is "mystery" to the world, but life to the realm. The disciples took into their being this teaching from Jesus and knew that following this instruction came the profound parable of the "Sower and the seed," "the Lamp not hid" and Jesus' description of the patient farmer and the growth of the mustard seed. Kingdom business was/is His business! It must surely be pointed out that these are not the only mysteries to be dealt with. Antithetic to the "mystery of the Kingdom" is the "mystery of iniquity," which espouses a different kind of kingdom. (One note is to be made about this "mystery:" Just as the disciples were to promote their revelation and act as mediators [stewards] to Kingdom truth, there will arise in the Last Days those who proclaim and promote the anti-christ kingdom, touted as the "mystery of Iniquity." From their depths will flow indescribable evil. Already in the midst of the congregations and throughout Christendom these exponents of the "mystery of Iniquity" have rallied their troops and are distributing their plans.)(*1) (*1)Rood, Michael John, "The Mystery of Iniquity," Bridge-Logos Press, Florida, 2001) Returning to Paul, a brief run down of related scriptures will suffice to convey the masterful way he dealt with "knowing the mystery." Eph 3:3-9The bold faced sections reveal a pattern by which the early church fellowshipped. They came together and shared as fellow-heirs their revelation of the mystery of the Kingdom. Eph 6:19-20Anyone should be able to see that Paul took seriously what was "given" him in understanding the "mystery of the Kingdom." He made it the basis of his fellowship and the thrust of his preaching-how different today! How dare someone claim to "preach" or "teach" and fail in this matter! There is no ministry apart from "Kingdom Ministry." Trailing the Scriptural subject matter of Jesus' actions and travels, after each of His "Kingdom" teachings, will reveal an interesting pattern. In Mark 4:30, just following the teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God being like the mustard seed, a number of confrontations took place:
One should inspect the next sequence. Mark 9:1-3The promise of seeing the kingdom was fulfilled immediately. Peter, James and John literally saw the Kingdom of God on earth through Jesus' transfiguration. At the end of the same chapter (Mark 9:47), Jesus lasered the matter of personal sacrifice. He taught that the pearl of Great Price cost its owner all he had; now the Kingdomite is taught that no sacrifice is too great to attain or maintain the Kingdom. Both cost and sacrifice would be worth it. Mark 9:47 'And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.Noting then the sacrifice involved, Jesus added: 49 "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.Using the altar of the Old Testament as his image, Jesus took the Kingdom to a different level. It costs to enter. Is it not high time for everyone to examine their lives against this Scripture. The primary message of the church must be about Jesus and the Kingdom of God, it must never lose this centricity. Acts records that the primary message of Paul concerned the "Kingdom of God." Acts 19:8Paul did something here that must be emulated; he removed himself and the disciples from the realms of unbelief. (Recently a lady emailed asking for prayer. She had been maintaining strong faith for her healing, but cried out that her close associate was speaking unbelief and berating her praise and worship--Time to change associates!) Paul acted correctly to protect his disciples-would to God such protection reigned today! Paul also addressed the wayward Corinthians in Kingdom terms. 1 Cor 6:9His message is still true. However, little did he know that his words and teachings would stand alongside Ezekiel, Moses and Jesus. He fathomed though, that the power to propel his words was kingdom power..."Could this be the difference between the First Century church and modern ecclesiology?" Paul's message remained strong and consistent regarding the Kingdom. Gal 5:19By using the word "inherit," Paul joined his predecessors and by parsing this word one gains access to an important factor about the Kingdom of God. NT: 2816 kleronomeo (klay-ron-om-eh'-o); from NT: 2818; to be an heir to (literally or figuratively): KJV - be heir, (obtain by) inherit (-ance). NT:2818 kleronomos (klay-ron-om'-os); from NT:2819 and the base of NT:3551 (in its original sense of partitioning, i.e. [reflexively] getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor.Further study indicates that "inherit" carries an element of breaking bread. When Jesus promised not to take the cup until He did so in the Kingdom, He was talking to "inheritors." Mark 14:25Throughout the New Testament the Kingdom was only for those prepared for it. Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?Kingdom promises are for Kingdom people! The following Scriptures will serve to prompt the reader to the power of this truth. John 18:36-37 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."The Kingdom has its roots in the Old Testament: Dan 7:14 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. Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.The Psalms resonate with verses like these: Ps 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,The Kingdom began with a covenant and thus remains in covenant: Ex 19:5-6 Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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