16. TIME FOR THE KINGDOM*

Revelation 1:3: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand.

I. When? “The time is at hand”.

A. Greek Kairos as in Revelation 1:3 – an appointed time, a set time.

1. The “Appointed Time” was foretold for the Kingdom to Come:

a. Time was set in Daniel 2: 36-45, the days of the Roman Empire, the “fourth kingdom”, vs. 44: “in the days of those Kings”.

b. Again in Daniel 7:7-27: the Roman Empire, the “fourth Beast”, vss. 13-14: The Son of Man is given the Kingdom.

2. “Appointed Time” was set for the destruction of the fleshly kingdom of Israel:

a. Daniel 9:24-27: “Seventy weeks of years, (490 years)”,

b. Daniel 12:6-7: “Time, times, and half-a-time”, (245 years).

3. The “Appointed Time” for the Kingdom was fulfilled:

a. Mark 1:15: Jesus’ announcement: “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.”

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

b. Matthew 3:2, John the Baptist’s announcement: “Repent ye: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

4. Then in Revelation 1:3: The “Appointed Time” for the destruction of the fleshly nation, Israel, its City, Jerusalem, and its people, the Jews, had come. During this time, the saints were raptured, triumphant, receiving the Kingdom, (Revelation 7 and 14.) After the destruction, chapter 18, there is the marriage supper of the Lamb, chapter 19, and the New Jerusalem descends, the Kingdom, Revelation chapters 21-22.

B. Jesus brought the Kingdom in His Life and Death: The Kingdom Is Come.

1. Read: Matthew 12:28; “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto you.” = Luke 11:20*: Did He cast out demons?

2. Matthew 16:28: “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.” = Luke 9:27 = Mark 9:1. Did the Apostles all die?

3. Mark 14:25: “Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” = Matthew 26:29 = Luke 22:18.

Fulfilled in Acts 10:40-41 when He ate and drank with them: “Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.” See also Luke 24:35, 43.

4. Jesus is on the throne now: Read: Luke 10:22: “All things have been delivered to me by my Father….”

5. Read John 3: 3, 5: Must be born again to see the Kingdom.

6. Read: John 18:36: His Kingship is not of this world.

7. Read: Philippians 2: 9-10: God hath highly exalted Him ….

8. Read: 1 Peter 3:22: Angels, authorities and powers are made subject to Him.

9. Read: Revelation 11:15: “… the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Hallelujah! He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Revelation 17:14; 19:6, 16, etc.

II. What Is The ‘Kingdom’?

A. Luke 17:20-21: “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo, there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (See also Amp. Version.)

B. 1Corinthians 4:20 AMP: “For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on, not talk, but power, (moral power and excellence of soul).

C. Romans 14:17: “For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

III. WHY the kingdom? RECOGNIZING THE SUPERNATURAL. **

A. The Crisis: A Lost and Dying World; The Cause: Hardened Hearts; The Cure: Prayer and Fasting. See Mark 9:14-29, the boy with the deaf and dumb spirit, = Matthew 17:19-21, below.

B. The Kingdom Agenda for Health, Education, Welfare and Military.

1. Health: 1Peter 2:24: “Who His own Self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed.”

This includes deliverance from devils, evil spirits, soul sickness, disease and pestilence.

2. Education: Training the Mind and the Senses:

a. Exercise the Mind to “Consider”: Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

b. Train the Mind to be Humble and Submissive to God: Read: Philippians 2:5-13.

c. Exercise your Senses:

To discern good and evil: Hebrews 5:14: “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

To have faith: Romans 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Unbelief comes through “considering” carnal, worldly things.

d. Unbelief comes through ignorance/lack of knowledge; false teaching, and through your carnal senses.

Cure for ignorance and false teaching: 2Timothy 3:15-17: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

“That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

e. Cure for your carnal senses: appearances, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling: Hebrews 5:14, (above) and

Matthew 17:19-21: “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

f. Prayer and fasting bring us to realize that there is more to life here than the carnal mind can sense. The carnal senses must be brought under the influence of the Mind of the Spirit. Romans 8:6: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Prayer participates in the Mind of the Spirit.

Fasting denies the mind of the flesh, carnality.

3. The Kingdom Agenda for Welfare:

a. READ: 1Timothy 6:17-19: Trust in the Living God.

b. Story of the “Rich Young Ruler”, Matthew 19:21-30.

Mark 10:24b, Jesus said, “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” Verse 27: “… With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible”.

4. The Kingdom Agenda for its Military:

a. 2Corinthians 10:4-5: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

b. Read: Ephesians 6:10-18. The armour of God.

c. John Baptist’s advice to soldiers: Luke 3:14: “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”

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