Welcome to this week’s blog. I felt compelled this week to share a message that comes straight from God's Word (the Bible) that is applicable for all mankind. And not just for the most popular religions in the world. In fact, that's the basis of my two-part blog series this week and next week. I will provide you an overwhelming account of Biblical scripture that should prove without a doubt who really is in control of this world. Is it our religions, religious rulers or government that's important or is it about God's ruling over the world? He is the true creator, and King over the Heavens and the Earth, not man?
According to God's Word, there is an overwhelming account of scripture that support God's overall message in His 1st Coming, and has continued throughout the centuries leading up to His next return, His 2nd Coming. In order for the world to make sense of the Bible, multiple things need to occur before the masses hear and understand God's Truth. Here's the eight most popular religions/ministries in the world and popularity percent. I listed these religions for you because this is not about what religion each of us proclaim. When someone asks me what religion I am, I typically answer, "I am a Christian." But the deeper I study God's Word, and what's being preached in our churches, and the message of truth scripture tells me, now my revised answer is, "Religion brings division amongst God's children. God doesn't put His children into religious categories, so why should man?"
Christianity (31.2%)
Islam (24.1%)
Irreligion (16%)
Hinduism (15.1%)
Buddhism (6.9%)
Folk religions (5.7%)
Sikhism (0.3%)
Judaism (0.2%)
First, let's look at the above religious practices. I would challenge the above ministries and churches. Is the message you hear in church every Sunday morning the same message from Jesus in the Bible? Research shows it is not the same message, so why do you think that is? The first logic is we must realize that all of mankind is in the middle of a "spiritual warfare." History tells us this battle has been going on for many generations between "good and evil." God is for good, and Satin is for evil. For example, God shows up in prisons, not just churches, just like Satin shows up in churches, and not just prisons. I believe we can all agree that God is everywhere, and so is Satin. God can change our hearts, but Satin's trickery can change our minds and our thinking.
In this spiritual warfare, Satin works endlessly to keep all of us in the dark (aka father of lies); therefore, further and further distancing us from God's truth. The harsh truth is this. . .Satin does not want mankind to hear God's message of the "Kingdom of Heaven," and His promise of an eternal life with Him when we return home. Satin works on all of us to keep us "in this world," where God has "Ambassadors of Jesus," throughout the world to spread the good news of His new government of Heaven. God also instructs us to store up our treasures in Heaven, as "we are not of this world." 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. - Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJ). So, ask yourselves what is the message you hear from your church ministries? It starts with all of us, and the message delivered around the world.
Does the ministry of our churches preach the message of the "Kingdom of God?" How many of us believe the "Kingdom of God" is at hand? How many of us are aware or unaware of God's message according to scripture about His Kingdom? In order to make sense and eliminate the utter confusion of the "Kingdom of God," we must turn to scripture, and turn the pages across the many testimonies from the authors, as well as Jesus' message to the world, in order to learn what is God's message to the world? What is His teachings, and instructions for us regarding the "Kingdom of God."
Mark 1:14-15 (NKJ) tell us this, 14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Luke 4:43 (NKJ) tells us this, 43 but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."
What Jesus is telling us in Luke 4:43 is He was sent by His Father in Heaven to preach the "Kingdom of God," throughout the cities, regions and nations of the world. This was the true purpose of Jesus' 1st Coming. It wasn't so much about Jesus as the Messiah, as it was to share the good news about the "Kingdom of God," and for all to repent and believe in the gospel. This message is shared 150 times throughout the Bible. Is this the same message you hear in church on Sunday mornings? Or are your church rulers moving away from preaching the "Kingdom of God," and how it will be fulfilled by Jesus when He returns. Are our churches preaching of the "Kingdom of God" is truly "at hand" for all of us, not just for the Christian religion I listed above. God's message is not religion specific, but applies to all of mankind from the one true God.
Let's look at what Matthew 6:33 (NKJ) shares with us about this message. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
If we also look at the Lord's Prayer, God mentions His kingdom in the first sentence (verse 10), and in the last sentence (verse 13) of this most famous prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJ)
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
In Jesus' teachings and instructions to His disciples for six weeks, we see in Acts 1:3 (NKJ) - 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Paul also speaks of the "Kingdom of God" in Acts 19:8 (NKJ) - 8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
Paul continues to tell us in Acts 28:30-31 (NKJ) about the "Kingdom of God," - 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
The point of calling out the many authors of the Bible who speak about the "Kingdom of God," is so I can now give you a better sense of the importance of this unanimous message throughout the Bible. The Bible takes the "Kingdom of God" very seriously; therefore, so shall our church ministries. But the messages being preached in our churches for centuries continue to move further and further away from God's message. Modern day Christian churches are becoming more and more distant from sharing Jesus' message with their congregation. I believe the primary reason we are more and more far removed from God's message is due to Satin's trickery, corruption and confuse in the churches in order to steer man away from God's teachings and instructions of the Bible. Remember, if you find yourself confused with God's message, the "Kingdom of God," God is not the cause, as God is not a God of confusion.
So, what makes a kingdom a kingdom? What is the truth about the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven? What exactly is it? One thing I am sure of, the "Kingdom of God" is not a heavenly retirement home. There are four key elements that make up a kingdom. Jesus' parables in the Bible talk about the four elements and what His Kingdom is like.
Next week we continue on this topic, where we will learn more about King Jesus, who is not a Roman ruler or emperor, nor a wicked leader but a King over the people.
Blessings until next week my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Debra Pauli Unstoppable Believer
Scripture Quotes: Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV) / New King James (NKJ) / English Standard Version (ESV)
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