THE KINGDOM OF GOD - THE PROCLAMATION OF JESUS CHRIST

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1.14-15

Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand. He was talking about the establishment of the kingdom in Jerusalem at the end of what we call the “church age.” The first step is to repent and believe in the gospel, which means, “Good News.”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3.3 A person must accept Jesus as savior and Lord before they can even begin to “see the kingdom.”

At the end of the age when Jesus returns he is going to set up His governmental headquarters in Jerusalem and rule the nations with an iron rod. This is the millennial kingdom for which all his saints are being prepared for here on earth. This government will be headed by Jesus and those who have believed in Him down through the ages will rule and reign with him. Our job at that time will be to teach all the nations the ways of God. Zechariah 14.16-19, 14.6-9, Rev 20.4-6

This kingdom’s first principle is love. It operates on giving, rather than getting.

Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
But after that no one dared question Him. Mark 12:28-34

This kingdom does not operate on envy, murder, lust, greed, coveting, lying, stealing, and dishonor, but rather on the fruits of the spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5.22-24

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31.31-33

The New Covenant is God writing His law upon our hearts. We will love God so much that we will not want to disobey His commandments. As we see in the above verses from Jeremiah--the commandments will be written on our hearts. We will cheerfully obey them, know, and understand them. “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119.11 This is the beginning of the government of God in our hearts.

The millennial kingdom will operate on these principles. Those who rule and reign with Christ will be teaching the nations about the Lord and operating on these love principles. They will be teaching the nations the Law/Torah. The law is a code of conduct. This is the law God gave Moses. The only way the code is truly obeyed is from a spirit of love. If we love God, then we obey His commandments (Torah/Instruction). 1 John 5.1-3

Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the kingdom of God: Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9.1-2

There will be a government; And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22.29-30

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1.6

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9.6

 
Laws of the Kingdom of God
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3“ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Psalm 51.17; Proverbs 16.19; Isaiah 57.15

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted. Isaiah 61.2; Joel 1.9; Psalm 30.11

5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth. Numbers 12.3; Psalm 37.11; Isaiah 11.4

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled. Isaiah 65.13; Psalm 35.28; 37.6; 48.10; 96.13

7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy. Psalm 41.1; Psalm 37.26; Psalm 119.58

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God. Proverbs 15.26; 20.11; 21.8; 30.15

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God. Psalm 144.3; Proverbs 3.1; 3.11-12; 5.1

The beatitudes that Jesus spoke of on the mountain are all laws written in the Old Testament. He was the living word and was reminding us of the law as a code of conduct for our lives. This is how we are to live in the kingdom of God.