Posts Tagged ‘kingdom’
If the Kingdom of God Has Come … and It Has
by Zeke Flores If the kingdom of God has come — and the Bible emphatically states that it has — then the theory of premillennialism is heretical King Jesus isn’t coming back to establish His kingdom; He’s already done it. His sacrifice has provided a once-for-all remedy for sin, and the Spirit has provided and…
Read MoreThe Mountain
by Terry Wane Benton Christians have come “to the mountain that may not be touched” (Hebrews 12:18-25). It is a spiritual mountain. It is “in Christ” in “the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). Our mountain is “exalted above the hills” (Isaiah 2:1-4). Our mountain is Mount Zion, and it is “the city of the living God, the…
Read MoreThe Glory of the Son
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Glory-of-the-Son.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 16:21-28 I. To the dismay of his disciples, Jesus began to speak of his pending death. (See also Mark 8:31-9:1 and Luke 9:21-27) A. They did not realize how important that death was to the plans of God, and when Peter declared that God would not allow such a…
Read MoreHis Dominion Will Be Vast
by Terry Wane Benton Isaiah 9:7 is interesting. Some brethren use it to teach that the kingdom on earth will keep “increasing” and never have an earth-ending moment and a transferal to heaven. But the “increase” is about the “prosperity” experienced rather than the kingdom growing on earth forever. The NET (New English Translation) says,…
Read MoreNames for God’s People
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Names-for-Gods-People.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 62:1-5 I. Names hold a particular significance in the Bible A. When a child is born in this country, parents agonize on picking out just the right name. 1. Often the name is selected because it has a nice “ring” to it 2. Because a favorite relative has the…
Read MoreWrong Concepts of the Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Wrong-Concepts-of-the-Church.mp3 Download Audio by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreJesus, the King of Kings
by Doy Moyer The scriptural concept of kingship starts in Genesis 1. God is the sovereign Creator who made male and female in His image and gave them dominion over the creation (Genesis 1:26-29). The idea is that humanity rules with God according to His will. In the garden, we find God dwelling with Adam…
Read MoreWhat is an alien believer or an alien sinner?
Question: Hello, I was reading somewhere in an article mentioning the “alien believer.” I am not sure what it actually means. I have noticed there are two different persons: “alien sinner” and “alien believer.” My question is: Cornelius, in Acts 10:2, was godly and had a fear of God in his heart, but he was…
Read MoreOur Country Will One Day Relocate
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Our-Country-Will-One-Day-Relocate.mp3 by Garry Floyd
Read MoreWill There be a Rapture?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Will-There-Be-a-Rapture.mp3 Text: I Thessalonians 4:13-18 I. People have always been fascinated with the second coming of Christ A. That fascination increased greatly as the 21st century approached. B. A very popular series, called “Left Behind” by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins claims to tell the events of Christ’s return in fictional form. The books were written…
Read MoreThe Thousand-Year Reign
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Thousand-Year-Reign.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Revelation 20:4-6 A. Many elaborate theories are based on this 1. Some teach that Christ, at his second coming, sets up a kingdom here on earth. 2. Christians from the early church are raised up to rule with him. 3. After a peaceful, thousand-year reign, the Devil is released 4. A seven-year battle ensues (the…
Read MoreYour teaching in “The Establishment of the Kingdom” is very unorthodox
Question: Greetings Mr. Hamilton, I’m reaching out because I have just heard your teaching on “The Establishment of the Kingdom” and I must admit, this is a very unorthodox view in my estimation of what you’re presenting. However, first, I must ask, do you ascribe to an Amillennial position? Seeming that you do not believe…
Read MoreThe Gospel of the Kingdom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Gospel-of-the-Kingdom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 2 I. An important event happened during the first century that many today have ignored or have declared did not happen A. Jesus spent time teaching that the kingdom of God was at hand – Mark 1:14-15 1. It was the good news about the kingdom – Matthew 4:23…
Read MoreThe Establishment of the Kingdom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/The-Establishment-of-the-Kingdom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 7:13-27 I. Few argue the importance of the Kingdom in God’s plan. A. It is not of this world – John 18:36 B. It is a spiritual kingdom – Luke 17:20-21 C. Yet there remain arguments as to when it was or will be established. 1. In part it is because people…
Read MorePreterism: The Eternal Kingdom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Preterism-The-Eternal-Kingdom.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreIsn’t Jesus supposed to reign over Israel?
Question: How is it that the following verses define the church as the kingdom of Christ when it specifically states the kingdom of heaven? “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I…
Read MoreThe Kingdom of God Was Established in Acts 2
by Terry Wane Benton Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of four consecutive world empires (Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman) and in the days of the fourth kingdom on earth (Roman) God would “set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44) and “it shall stand forever.” Jesus Reigns as King Daniel had another vision…
Read MoreWhen and how long does Christ reign?
Question: Good Morning Brother Hamilton, Thank you for your amazing website! It’s been a fundamental part of my Christian walk. Can you please clarify this for me? When does Christ reign? Now – I Corinthians 15:23-26 Christ reigns until death is abolished, then the kingdom is returned to the Father. In other words, the judgment is…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between seeing the kingdom and entering the kingdom?
Question: In John 3:3-5 Jesus first answered Nicodemus by saying no one could not see the kingdom unless being born in John 3:4. In John 3:5 Jesus said one could not enter the kingdom unless being born again. I understand what “enter the kingdom” means. I do not understand what “see the kingdom” means. How…
Read MoreCitizenship
by Raymond Gonzalez Sr. Sentry Magazine, June 2002 In 1950, a decree went out from the modem state of Israel, granting automatic citizenship to “Jews” in all the world. The purpose was to get as many of the scattered Israelites (Diaspora) back on Holy Ground. Many Jews from Europe, Africa, and the Americas flocked to…
Read MoreThe Only Eternal Kingdom
by Doy Moyer There is only one kingdom that is eternal. Only one that stretches across time, physical boundaries, nations, tongues, and earthly rulers. Only one that is not dependent in any way upon kingdoms of the world. Only one that does not advance through the shedding of blood or carnal warfare. Nor is its…
Read MoreCan we pray “Your kingdom come” today?
Question: As a member of the Lord’s church, I have taken the position that today, we should not pray for “Thy kingdom come” as Jesus taught his disciples on how they should pray. The reason being is because today, the kingdom has already been established (Colossians 1:13). At the present time, I have an ongoing…
Read MoreThe Glory and Kingdom of the Son
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:21-27 To the dismay of his disciples, Jesus began to speak of his pending death. Peter and the other disciples did not realize the importance of that death in God’s plans. Peter went so far as to declare that God would never allow such a…
Read MoreReceiving the Kingdom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Receiving-the-Kingdom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 12:25-29 I. Sometimes terminology can interfere with our understanding A. When you’ve been a part of something for a while, we develop jargon. But newcomers don’t understand the jargon B. It happens in business, but it also happens in the church. 1. There are different terms for the church: body, kingdom,…
Read MoreYou Must Be Born Again
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2003/08/You-Must-Be-Born-Again2.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 3:1-22 I. I had a fellow ask me if I had been born again. A. In particular, he wanted to know how I came to believe such a thing. B. When I replied with I John 2:3-6; 4:6; 5:2-3, he became quite upset C. He wanted to know how I was…
Read MoreDid the kingdom exist before Jesus’ death?
Question: Brother Hamilton, We know from the information the kingdom/church was established in Jerusalem on Pentecost. We can also see the numerous passages speaking of the kingdom being “at hand.” Even just before the cross, on the cross with the thief, and after the cross, we see several comments intimating that the kingdom is still…
Read MoreThe Kingdom of God Is Within You
by Bryan Matthew Dockens According to Jesus, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Contrary to popular theory, the establishment of God’s kingdom would not be a visible event. The coronation of Christ…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean by the kingdom being near in Luke 21:31?
Question: Hello, I had a question regarding the kingdom of God. From my understanding, the kingdom of God is another term for the church. However, after reading the gospel accounts, I found a problem with Luke 21:31. “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” My…
Read MoreThe Blessings and Privileges of Kingdom Citizenship
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BlessingsAndPrivilegesOfKingdomCitizenship.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreAre the church and the kingdom the same thing?
Question: Are the church and the kingdom the same thing? Answer: Often the Bible explains things through multiple words whenever one word is insufficient to fully describe what is meant. After all, the Bible is trying to describe a world that we cannot touch or see. For example, Jesus is described as the good shepherd,…
Read MoreThe Natural Comes Before the Spiritual
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NaturalComesBeforeTheSpiritual.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 15:35-49 I. It’s spring and gardener’s are out putting seeds into the ground, looking forward to crops of fruits, vegetables and flowers. A. Yet, no gardener puts in a seed expecting the seed to get bigger. The seeds stop being seeds, they “die” if you will, and become…
Read MoreDo I need to prepare myself as a priest to fit into the kingdom?
Question: I have a question regarding the practical application of royal priesthood in the upcoming kingdom of God. Recently I got to know one of the elders and preacher in the church. According to him, we are a royal priesthood (referring to I Peter 2:9) and the role of priest is to offer up Christ…
Read MoreHow can Christ rule on David’s throne while in heaven?
Question: One of my students states “… that Christ has to rule on David’s throne, I didn’t know David had a throne in heaven …” Is this student coming from a Baptist line of thinking? Thanks for your help. Answer: There are numerous denominations that ascribe to a premillennial form of thinking, Baptist being one…
Read MoreThe Church Is the Kingdom
by James R. Cope via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 11, Sept. 1952. Within the past twenty years, much has been written and spoken about the “church phase of the kingdom” in connection with premillennialism. For the most part, the influence of those who would deny the “eternal purpose” of God in and through the church…
Read MoreAre the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God different?
Question: In the article entitled “The Church Is the Kingdom”, it is proposed that the kingdom and the Church are the same. I agree that the kingdom “of God” is the church, but I assume you would also assert that the Church and the kingdom “of Heaven” are the same thing also. If that is…
Read MoreHow can the church and the kingdom be the same when the Bible says flesh will not enter the kingdom?
Question: How you make the statement that the church and the kingdom are the same, while the Bible teaches that flesh will not enter the kingdom. Answer: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption” (I Corinthians 15:50). In this context, Paul is…
Read MoreMetaphors of the Church
by Dennis C. Abernathy via Truth Magazine – January 3, 1980 In our age when the church is thought of as some unimportant, outdated, or take-it-or-leave-it institution, it becomes very important for us to investigate what the Scriptures have to say pertaining to it. It is so important that we stress the beauty of, the wisdom behind,…
Read MoreDoes the fact that God’s will is not being done on earth mean the kingdom isn’t here?
Question: I was stopped by two Jehovah’s Witnesses and was very thankful that I had the scriptural knowledge and the courage to dispute some of the things they said. As a member of the church, I fully understand the nature of Christ’s kingdom and provided scriptural evidence for its current presence on earth. They posed…
Read MoreIs it a contradiction that Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit, but he also said some would see him coming in his kingdom?
Question: Dear Preacher, In Matthew 16:28 Jesus said, “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.” My question is did Jesus came on the day of Pentecost when the church was established? Because this contradicts with…
Read MoreWhen was the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom?
Question: When the Lord referred to “the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (NKJV) is he referring to coming in Judgment or His return? Answer: To fully understand what Jesus said, we need to examine all three records of this particular teaching: “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His…
Read More