A Study on the Kingdom of God
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This is not saying that John the Baptist is the least in the kingdom of God in a spiritual sense, for surely John the Baptist was humble, but John the Baptist was not saved the whole time he was on earth, for he died before the blood of Christ was shed.
Which John is the greatest of all people born with the exception of the man Christ Jesus, but in his condition to be saved while on earth before he died was he was not saved yet, so the least in the kingdom of God is greater than him, for a person that is part of the kingdom of God is greater than the greatest on earth according to the flesh.
But once the blood of Christ was shed John was not the least in the kingdom of God, for how could he be when he had the Spirit from birth which no other person had, and prepared the way for Jesus, so in the spiritual sense he would not be the least in the kingdom of God, but he did not receive the Spirit from birth to save him but to give him power to live right to prepare Israel for the coming of Jesus.
Which John is the greatest of all people born with the exception of the man Christ Jesus, but in his condition to be saved while on earth before he died was he was not saved yet, so the least in the kingdom of God is greater than him, for a person that is part of the kingdom of God is greater than the greatest on earth according to the flesh.
But once the blood of Christ was shed John was not the least in the kingdom of God, for how could he be when he had the Spirit from birth which no other person had, and prepared the way for Jesus, so in the spiritual sense he would not be the least in the kingdom of God, but he did not receive the Spirit from birth to save him but to give him power to live right to prepare Israel for the coming of Jesus.
Luk 17:20 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:
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
al 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh(can abstain from sin).
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law(the law cannot touch you for prosecution).
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The kingdom of God is within you when you receive the Spirit, for you show the Spirit's ways, and not the ways of the flesh.
Not saying it is not also a kingdom the saints will not go to for Jesus went away from this earth to prepare a place for the saints.
But the only study we need to do on the kingdom of God is be led of the Spirit.
Even when Jesus was on earth and said they were a wicked and adulterous generation there were still people being saved, for many followed Christ back then.
And God said the last generation will be the worse of all, but people can still be saved until the world takes the mark of the beast, which they will continue for three and one half years after that, and then it is over, which a generation is longer than three and one half years.
So the last generation which is the worse people can still be saved until they follow the beast kingdom, and take the mark of the beast, and then make war against all people that oppose their kingdom, and then it is over.
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
al 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh(can abstain from sin).
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law(the law cannot touch you for prosecution).
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The kingdom of God is within you when you receive the Spirit, for you show the Spirit's ways, and not the ways of the flesh.
Not saying it is not also a kingdom the saints will not go to for Jesus went away from this earth to prepare a place for the saints.
But the only study we need to do on the kingdom of God is be led of the Spirit.
Even when Jesus was on earth and said they were a wicked and adulterous generation there were still people being saved, for many followed Christ back then.
And God said the last generation will be the worse of all, but people can still be saved until the world takes the mark of the beast, which they will continue for three and one half years after that, and then it is over, which a generation is longer than three and one half years.
So the last generation which is the worse people can still be saved until they follow the beast kingdom, and take the mark of the beast, and then make war against all people that oppose their kingdom, and then it is over.
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1st point:
All scripture was written for us. Not all scripture is written to us.
Scripture Study Tips
When dissecting any verse of scripture. Ask yourself, of whom, to whom, with what words, what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what is written before and what follows any single verse context.
^^^Myles Coverdale, Bible theologian/translator^^^
So, ask: Who is writing? Who’s it written to? What are the circumstances? What’s the context before? What's the context after?
Everything that Jesus said in His earthly (in the flesh) ministry was spoken to the Jew. Under what circumstances? THE LAW! He never said a word that wasn't given under the Law.
Point 2:
Your OP (post #2) sites Matt 6:33 & claims this verse is: Quote: The ""FIRST" Priority of mankind""
The verse is not written to ALL of mankind! It is written to JEWS only! Try reading Matt 6:32 (A) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek)
Israel’s OT prophets foretold that Messiah would one day come. Establish a kingdom on earth & rule & reign from Jerusalem (Ps 2:6 & 8, Zec 14:9, Lk 1:31-33)
Its focus was ALL Jewish (Matt 10:5-6). During this kingdom reign, God would fulfill His covenant promises to Israel. Every God fearing Jew knew the promise & longed for it
The gospel of the kingdom proclaimed by the Baptist, Jesus & the 12. Required repentance (Mk 1:15), water baptism (Matt 3:6, Acts 2:38, 8:34-38 & 19.4). Based on, the identity of, and belief that, Jesus was the promised coming Messiah. And given to, the collective Nation of Israel only. (Matt 16:13-16, Jn 11:25-27)
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Point 3:
Jesus was sent to JEWS ONLY!
Messiah's, earthly/walk, fleshly/ministry. Was to and only to the Jews-the circumcision. AND DID NOT INCLUDE GENTILES.
Matt 10:5 Messiah sent forth the 12 & commanded them. To not go the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans
(NOTE: Don't go to GENTILES!)
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(NOTE: Messiah is sent, & sends his disciples to, the lost sheep of the ""House of Israel"")
Matt 15:24 Messiah answered & said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(NOTE: Messiah say's; He has been sent, ONLY, to the lost sheep of the ""House of Israel"")
25 Then came she (Greek/gentile,) & worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 Messiah answered, It is not meet to take the children's bread & to cast it to dogs.
(NOTE: Jews (including Jesus) often referred to Gentiles as dogs. (Matt 7:6 & Lk 16:21) Gentiles were considered so ungodly, being in their presence could make a person ceremonially unclean (Jn 18:28)
Rom 15:8 I say that Messiah was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
(NOTE: Messiah came to preach to the circumcision (Jews) & to fulfil promises made to the circumcision's fathers, NOT GENTILES)
Jewish leadership rejects Messiah their King & has him killed. Upon His Resurrection the RISEN Christ. Sends Paul to open the door of salvation to Gentiles.
FINALLY:
You claim in your post #8. This is, ""A Study on the Kingdom of God"". Yet you give no info on what the Kingdom of God is!
All scripture was written for us. Not all scripture is written to us.
Scripture Study Tips
When dissecting any verse of scripture. Ask yourself, of whom, to whom, with what words, what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what is written before and what follows any single verse context.
^^^Myles Coverdale, Bible theologian/translator^^^
So, ask: Who is writing? Who’s it written to? What are the circumstances? What’s the context before? What's the context after?
Everything that Jesus said in His earthly (in the flesh) ministry was spoken to the Jew. Under what circumstances? THE LAW! He never said a word that wasn't given under the Law.
Point 2:
Your OP (post #2) sites Matt 6:33 & claims this verse is: Quote: The ""FIRST" Priority of mankind""
The verse is not written to ALL of mankind! It is written to JEWS only! Try reading Matt 6:32 (A) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek)
Israel’s OT prophets foretold that Messiah would one day come. Establish a kingdom on earth & rule & reign from Jerusalem (Ps 2:6 & 8, Zec 14:9, Lk 1:31-33)
Its focus was ALL Jewish (Matt 10:5-6). During this kingdom reign, God would fulfill His covenant promises to Israel. Every God fearing Jew knew the promise & longed for it
The gospel of the kingdom proclaimed by the Baptist, Jesus & the 12. Required repentance (Mk 1:15), water baptism (Matt 3:6, Acts 2:38, 8:34-38 & 19.4). Based on, the identity of, and belief that, Jesus was the promised coming Messiah. And given to, the collective Nation of Israel only. (Matt 16:13-16, Jn 11:25-27)
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Point 3:
Jesus was sent to JEWS ONLY!
Messiah's, earthly/walk, fleshly/ministry. Was to and only to the Jews-the circumcision. AND DID NOT INCLUDE GENTILES.
Matt 10:5 Messiah sent forth the 12 & commanded them. To not go the Gentiles or into any city of the Samaritans
(NOTE: Don't go to GENTILES!)
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(NOTE: Messiah is sent, & sends his disciples to, the lost sheep of the ""House of Israel"")
Matt 15:24 Messiah answered & said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
(NOTE: Messiah say's; He has been sent, ONLY, to the lost sheep of the ""House of Israel"")
25 Then came she (Greek/gentile,) & worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 Messiah answered, It is not meet to take the children's bread & to cast it to dogs.
(NOTE: Jews (including Jesus) often referred to Gentiles as dogs. (Matt 7:6 & Lk 16:21) Gentiles were considered so ungodly, being in their presence could make a person ceremonially unclean (Jn 18:28)
Rom 15:8 I say that Messiah was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
(NOTE: Messiah came to preach to the circumcision (Jews) & to fulfil promises made to the circumcision's fathers, NOT GENTILES)
Jewish leadership rejects Messiah their King & has him killed. Upon His Resurrection the RISEN Christ. Sends Paul to open the door of salvation to Gentiles.
FINALLY:
You claim in your post #8. This is, ""A Study on the Kingdom of God"". Yet you give no info on what the Kingdom of God is!
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We should make sure we understand the context and the application of this saying of Christ.
1. The Pharisees (and other Jewish religionists) had a false concept of the Kingdom of God. They thought that it would be a visible kingdom of Israel after the Messiah had driven out the Romans, and that they would be given high privileges and position because of their own righteousness. They also believed that they did not need to repent in order to enter that Kingdom of God. Therefore Christ said "the kingdom of God cometh not with observation", meaning that you will not see the Kingdom of God as you imagine it to be, neither will you enter it". Then He said "the kingdom of God is within you", and this is a reference to the New Birth. No man can enter or see the Kingdom of God without being born again (John 3:3-8), and every child of God is visible primarily to God.
2. At the same time, there will be a real, visible, tangible, Kingdom of God on earth in the future, beginning with the Millennium (1,000 reign of Christ) and continuing within the New Heavens and the New Earth. But first all the tainted kingdoms of the world must be utterly destroyed, and the earth purged with supernatural fire.
3. The big difference between the Kingdom of God and all other earthly kingdoms will be TOTAL AND ABSOLUTE RIGHTEOUSNESS.
4. So how can Christians "seek" God's Kingdom and His righteousness at this point?
1. By ensuring that the Gospel is preached to every creature.
2. By ensuring that the saints are edified so that they know the truth.
3. By doing the good works we have been appointed to do.
4. By striving daily for personal holiness and righteousness, by the power of the Holy Spirit within.
1. The Pharisees (and other Jewish religionists) had a false concept of the Kingdom of God. They thought that it would be a visible kingdom of Israel after the Messiah had driven out the Romans, and that they would be given high privileges and position because of their own righteousness. They also believed that they did not need to repent in order to enter that Kingdom of God. Therefore Christ said "the kingdom of God cometh not with observation", meaning that you will not see the Kingdom of God as you imagine it to be, neither will you enter it". Then He said "the kingdom of God is within you", and this is a reference to the New Birth. No man can enter or see the Kingdom of God without being born again (John 3:3-8), and every child of God is visible primarily to God.
2. At the same time, there will be a real, visible, tangible, Kingdom of God on earth in the future, beginning with the Millennium (1,000 reign of Christ) and continuing within the New Heavens and the New Earth. But first all the tainted kingdoms of the world must be utterly destroyed, and the earth purged with supernatural fire.
3. The big difference between the Kingdom of God and all other earthly kingdoms will be TOTAL AND ABSOLUTE RIGHTEOUSNESS.
4. So how can Christians "seek" God's Kingdom and His righteousness at this point?
1. By ensuring that the Gospel is preached to every creature.
2. By ensuring that the saints are edified so that they know the truth.
3. By doing the good works we have been appointed to do.
4. By striving daily for personal holiness and righteousness, by the power of the Holy Spirit within.
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You really should refrain from rash judgements. When I quoted both of you in my post I was being critical of that member for telling you that you wrote an ignorant remark, especially after you praised him for being off to a good start in his study. I consider your post to me to be an ignorant remark, especially after coming to your defense. It just seem to not pay to try to be a nice guy in this forum. That was ignorance on my part.
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Sorry, my bad brother. I thought that by including his post was an amusing way of rebuking him for being critical of you especially when you made the effort to say something nice. Sorry also for saying that you said an ignorant remark also, again, that was my bad per usual. I also retract what I said about it being ignorant trying to be a nice guy on this forum as if implying that nice guys finish last. I don't believe this to be true at all. Apparently, what we had here was a "failure to communicate". No offense please as I was attempting once again to be amusing. 
Sorry, my bad brother. I thought that by including his post was an amusing way of rebuking him for being critical of you especially when you made the effort to say something nice. Sorry also for saying that you said an ignorant remark also, again, that was my bad per usual. I also retract what I said about it being ignorant trying to be a nice guy on this forum as if implying that nice guys finish last. I don't believe this to be true at all. Apparently, what we had here was a "failure to communicate". No offense please as I was attempting once again to be amusing.
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1 Timothy 6:3-5 English Standard Version (ESV)
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ(letters in red) and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ(letters in red) and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Charles Spurgeon-"You don't have to defend the bible, the bible will defend itself"
1 Timothy 6:3-5 English Standard Version (ESV)
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ(letters in red) and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 English Standard Version (ESV)
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ(letters in red) and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
- Seek.
To seek for something is normally something that we have lost. The question is what did mankind loose? According to Jesus mankind lost a kingdom. In Genesis 1:26 mankind (Adam) was given a kingdom (dominion) or king-domain and it was his responsibility to manage the earth. Due to Adams rebellion against God, Adam lost his kingdom and dominion including his management contract.
God then immediate set up a plan to redeem mankind and for him to reclaim his kingdom. To make a long story short, he sent his Son to die on the cross redeem(buy back) mankind and give back the kingdom that man lost. Adam (mankind) was under the authority of Satan, Jesus reclaimed that authority on the cross. Matt 28:18 (All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me)
Col 1.13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
So from the above we can clearly see that mankind did not lose a "religion" he lost a kingdom and Jesus brought back the kingdom that mankind lost, he announced it when proclaimed Matt 4:17 Repent, For the kingdom of God has arrived.
To seek for something is normally something that we have lost. The question is what did mankind loose? According to Jesus mankind lost a kingdom. In Genesis 1:26 mankind (Adam) was given a kingdom (dominion) or king-domain and it was his responsibility to manage the earth. Due to Adams rebellion against God, Adam lost his kingdom and dominion including his management contract.
God then immediate set up a plan to redeem mankind and for him to reclaim his kingdom. To make a long story short, he sent his Son to die on the cross redeem(buy back) mankind and give back the kingdom that man lost. Adam (mankind) was under the authority of Satan, Jesus reclaimed that authority on the cross. Matt 28:18 (All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me)
Col 1.13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
So from the above we can clearly see that mankind did not lose a "religion" he lost a kingdom and Jesus brought back the kingdom that mankind lost, he announced it when proclaimed Matt 4:17 Repent, For the kingdom of God has arrived.