What 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…

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Will 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…

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The 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…

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Your 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…

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The 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…

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The 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…

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Isn’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…

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The 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…

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When 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…

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What 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…

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Citizenship

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…

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The 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…

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Can 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…

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The 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…

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Receiving 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,…

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You 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…

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Did 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…

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The 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…

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What 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…

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Are 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,…

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The 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…

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Do 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…

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How 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…

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The 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…

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Are 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…

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Metaphors 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,…

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When 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…

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Born Again Into The Kingdom

by H.E. Phillips via Searching the Scriptures, February 1992, Volume 33, Number 2 The church is the people who are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). The…

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Back to Basics: The Kingdom

by Frank Jamerson Some who are teaching that there is no distinction between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant are teaching an absolute distinction between the kingdom and the church. When those who profess to be teachers of God’s word say “the kingdom of God is not the ekklesia, the church,” it is time…

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Could you explain Matthew 21:44?

Question: In Matthew 21:44, I know that Jesus is talking to the chief priests and the Pharisees, but I am having trouble understanding this verse. “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Is Jesus saying that whoever goes against him, since…

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Does Mathew 26:29 mean that we shouldn’t take communion?

Question: Does Mathew 26:29 mean that we shouldn’t take communion? Answer: “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). Your conclusion contradicts other clear passages concerning partaking of the…

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Where Is the Kingdom?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/WhereIsTheKingdom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 18:33-40   I.         We frequently talk about the Jews’ mistaken concept of the kingdom             A.        They were expecting the Messiah to restore Israel to the glory it had in the days of David and Solomon.             B.        Despite being around Jesus for several years, the concept was so firmly rooted in the…

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Figurative Speech: “The Kingdom Is Like …”

by Robert Turner Plain Talk, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 4-5–December 1976 Is the church (God’s people) the “body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:23); or is it like (in some respects) a “body,” and since He is “head over” these people, therefore like the body of Christ? Are we literally His hands, feet, etc? Or are we figuratively…

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