Concerning the Kingdom of Heaven

By Henry DuBose

Jesus said, "The Kingdom of heaven is at hand." The Kingdom of heaven is not of this world, but it is at hand - that is, it is a realm that is available and can be experienced at the present time. To what extent it is experienced depends upon your dedication, faith, and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

This book looks at a few passages of Scriptures concerning the Kingdom of God. There are many various concepts of the Kingdom. For a little while let's lay aside previous notions and see what we can learn from the writings of Divine scripture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387657919

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Concerning the Kingdom of Heaven

Concerning the Kingdom of Heaven

Henry DuBose

Copyright

Copyright ©2011 by Henry DuBose

All rights reserved.  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2018

ISBN 978-1-387-65791-9

Open Heavens Ministries

928 Double L Trail

Jamestown, SC 29453

www.openheavensministries.org

Concerning the Kingdom of God

We are going to look at a few passages of Scripture concerning the Kingdom of God. There are many various concepts of the Kingdom. For a little while, let's lay aside previous notions and see what we can learn from the writings of Divine Scripture.

Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

2 And saying, Repent: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John the Baptist is saying repentance is necessary, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is important to understand the connection of repentance and the Kingdom. Entrance into the Kingdom of God is preceded by repentance.

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Jesus echoes John's message: Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Are you hearing what is being said here? The Kingdom of heaven is a Kingdom of another world. It is the Kingdom of God's world being made available to man.

Matthew 10:5, 7 These twelve Jesus sent forth, saying...

7 As you go, preach, saying, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John the Baptist began his ministry saying, Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus began His ministry saying, Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. And the disciples were told by Jesus to do the same thing, to preach, saying, Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. There is a very good reason why this was repeated three times. In this way a truth is established: In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established (II Corinthians 13:1). In Old Testament language: A threefold cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

John 18:35-36 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee unto me. What hast Thou done?

36 Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now is My Kingdom not from hence.

What have we learned from these Scriptures? The Kingdom of God is not of this world; it is not of the world of man, but it is now made available for man. Repentance is necessary for entrance. Repentance is often thought of as merely a repentance for things said or done; that is, for things regarded as sins. The repentance to enter the Kingdom of heaven is more involved. It is a repentance for a new birth, a change of nature.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

Jesus is talking to Nicodemus. The Kingdom of God is not of the world of man. It cannot be seen or recognized by man. It is invisible; it is spiritual. If a man is going to see it, he must be born of God. Only those who are of God's world can see His Kingdom.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, He cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.

A man must be born again to see the Kingdom of God. And that born-again experience must be expanded to enter it. You see, a little repentance for your sins will not enable you to see the Kingdom. There must be a repentance that brings