Chapter Seven

The Present Hope

The Present Aspect  While We Wait for the Hope

We are asked to create a Kingdom Church with changed state of heart or mind (metanoia) within Christians (see Luke 17:20-21), emphasizing the spiritual nature of His Kingdom by saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is within (or among) you."

We still have the power of resurrection within us for these signs and miracles

• in healing diseases,
• driving out demons,
• teaching a new ethic for living, and
• offering a new hope in God to the poor,
• is understood to be a demonstration of that Kingdom in action.

The heavenly King reigns in His people on earth now

Galatians 2:20  "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Luke 17:20"For indeed, the kingdom of God is 'within you."

Who will or will not enter the Kingdom of God?

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." 

Ephesians 5:5-7 "...no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them." 

Galatians 5:19-21 "...the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“

This entry into the Kingdom of God is not based on the law, not based on the obedience and righteousness of the person, but is based only on the love and mercy of God which he offers to all.  It is not that there is no need of righteousness and obedience, but that these should proceed as a result of being united in Christ as one body.

Matthew 5:19-20 "I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

Romans 14:16 "Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,' says the Lord Almighty."  

The result of this offer and its submissive free acceptance will result in the transformation of the believer.

Romans 12:2 "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."