April 22
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
According to J. Preston Eby:
-"The dictionary defines “kingdom” as “a government or country headed by a king or queen; a monarchical
state; a realm or domain.” The word “kingdom” is made up of the noun “king”, and the suffix
“dom”. “Dom” is a noun-forming suffix to express rank, position, or domain. For example, a "dukedom"
is the domain over which a duke has authority or exercises rule, and in the abstract the rank of a duke. In like manner a
"kingdom" is the domain and the people within that domain over which a king exercises authority and rule. It is the “king's
domain”. “Kingdom” is thus a contraction of “king's domain”. The term, "Kingdom of God", can
mean no other than the domain over which God exercises rule as King. As well, the word “kingdom” is from the Greek
word "BASILEIA" meaning “rule” or “reign”." ( To Be The Lord's Prayer, J. Preston Eby )
-Can you see it yet? The Kingdom of God is the domain over which, and in which God rules and reigns in SUPREME POWER AND
AUTHORITY ( SOVEREIGNTY )! The Kingdom of God is the sovereign rule of God within the hearts and lives of His people.
-The Kingdom of God is NOT “in the sweet by-and-by”! It is not a place you go to after you die! IT IS IN THE
HERE-AND-NOW! IT IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY! It is the inward working of the Spirit of God to bring you to the place
where you will begin to say:
1. THY KINGDOM COME!
2. THY WILL BE DONE!
-The Kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU ( INSIDE OF YOU, Luke 17:21 )! It is the Spirit of God performing MAJOR SURGERY on your
soul, which is your:
1. MIND
2. WILL
3. EMOTIONS
-We must let go of our kingdom, and our will, which is the throne of our inner will and heart.
According to J. Preston Eby:
-"So, if I sincerely, earnestly, and genuinely beseech the Spirit of God to rule in my life and experience, there to establish
His Kingdom, I can only expect that there will be a most tremendous confrontation. It is a foregone conclusion that there
will follow a formidable conflict between His divine sovereignty and my self-willed ego. And this, precious friend of mine,
is the true BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON!" ( What is the Kingdom of God, J. Preston Eby )
-In conclusion, we can see that the Kingdom of God is:
1. THE DOMAIN ( RULE ) OF GOD
2. THE PEOPLE OF GOD
3. THAT IN WHICH GOD EXERCISES SOVEREIGN RULE
4. IN THE HERE-AND-NOW
5. WITHIN ( INSIDE OF ) YOU
6. AN INWARD WORKING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITHIN HIS PEOPLE
7. THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON WITHIN THE HEART AND LIFE OF MAN ( This battle takes place between our kingdom and will, and
the Kingdom and will of God. )
What is the final result of the working of the Kingdom of God in our lives? Romans 14:17 states, … For the kingdom
of God is not meat and drink ( anything external ): but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit …
-THAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD!-
