Kingdom of God
"may your kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven"
"Kingdom" and "Heaven on earth" seem to be the buzz words lately in my world of study. I have enjoyed learning and studying some of the thoughts on these subjects. We have been having some great conversation and "aha moments" with some other men that are now coming to my house on Wed. nights. We have been listening to a teacher of the Bible who I believe is leading the way into the new culture that is upon us. Although controversial within the mainstream circles, I have yet to hear valid arguments that prove him wrong. But that is a discussion for another day.
A perfect example is a sermon from a different teacher I heard not to long ago. To give a quick summary of the talk was a statement that he made. I think it was, live life eternity minded. (not sure of exactness to the words) While this statement in itself is not a bad thing....we have a great party to look forward to. He never gave us any real hope for living our lives on our way to that eternity. This is the same message I've been hearing since I was little kid. He kept talking about how it was a long marathon and how we need to pace ourselves. My point to this rambling is that it is sad that we weren't given any hope of happiness or joy while we are here on earth! We might as well skip the long terrible journey and go right to heaven!
I know all you bible theologians will give me 15 reasons why that is wrong to say. But I think you get my drift. I just know in my heart that Jesus is saying you've got it all wrong! I know if he were here with us he would say that he was here so we could experience life to the full! Oh by the way let me turn that water into wine so we can celebrate a little longer!
I think I'll concentrate on loving my neighbor as myself and blessing any body God brings my way. Heaven is there waiting and when God sees fit I'll go to be with him. So here is the topic for discussion.
"Kingdom" and "Heaven on earth" seem to be the buzz words lately in my world of study. I have enjoyed learning and studying some of the thoughts on these subjects. We have been having some great conversation and "aha moments" with some other men that are now coming to my house on Wed. nights. We have been listening to a teacher of the Bible who I believe is leading the way into the new culture that is upon us. Although controversial within the mainstream circles, I have yet to hear valid arguments that prove him wrong. But that is a discussion for another day.
A perfect example is a sermon from a different teacher I heard not to long ago. To give a quick summary of the talk was a statement that he made. I think it was, live life eternity minded. (not sure of exactness to the words) While this statement in itself is not a bad thing....we have a great party to look forward to. He never gave us any real hope for living our lives on our way to that eternity. This is the same message I've been hearing since I was little kid. He kept talking about how it was a long marathon and how we need to pace ourselves. My point to this rambling is that it is sad that we weren't given any hope of happiness or joy while we are here on earth! We might as well skip the long terrible journey and go right to heaven!
I know all you bible theologians will give me 15 reasons why that is wrong to say. But I think you get my drift. I just know in my heart that Jesus is saying you've got it all wrong! I know if he were here with us he would say that he was here so we could experience life to the full! Oh by the way let me turn that water into wine so we can celebrate a little longer!
I think I'll concentrate on loving my neighbor as myself and blessing any body God brings my way. Heaven is there waiting and when God sees fit I'll go to be with him. So here is the topic for discussion.
- Do you believe we can achieve Heaven here on earth?
- What are some tangible ways to achieve it?
Have an adventure with God!
Randy
posted by Randy W. @ 12:14 AM
2 Comments:
At Aug 14, 2007, 10:19:00 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Can we achieve heaven here on earth?
I don't know if you're going to like my answer Randy. First question I have in regards to your question is, "What do you mean by achieve?". Am I to achieve heaven? Or do you mean, Can we enjoy heaven here on Earth? That is different. I believe I can enjoy eternity now. I can't see or touch Jesus but by faith I can enjoy a very personal and powerful relationship with Him.
2Co 5:6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.(NKJV)
Jesus told us that He came to give us life and that more abundantly.
Joh 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.(NKJV)
The live is eternal life the abundance is for today.
That still doesn't compare to the day, the time when we can see Him clearly face to face. When we are home with our Savior it will be like comparing being a child to being an adult. We will be changed and man it's going to be better in a lot of ways.
1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
This is what's coming, AMEN?
But what about now? Now? Okay....
Verse 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (NKJV)
At Aug 16, 2007, 5:01:00 PM ,
Brandon said...
Mark,
I like your comments I just think we are dealing with semantics here. We are dealing with two words that are often misinterpreted. In scripture we see Kingdom parables. If studied correctly we can find that Jesus is not talking about the eternal paradise of life after death. That would not be on the minds of the Jew during that day. This Kingdom is a fully understood community of people who are living life to the fullest like in John 10:10. A community of people loving God and loving peopple. This is the heaven I believe must be achieved here on earth, and the heaven Randy is talking about.
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