The Heart Of
The Kingdom

Physical Spiritual Kingdom: Israel Kingdom: Kingdom of Grace (Now) - Kingdom of Glory (Future) City: Jerusalem City: Remnant Temple: Sancturay Temple: You & I

The Kingdom Of God

When was it instituted?

`The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race.' (GC347)

When was it established

`It was not established until after the death of Christ.' (GC347)

What are the boundaries of the kingdom?

`The kingdom of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, ``Here it is,'' or ``There it is,'' because the kingdom of God is within you.' (Luke 17:20)

`The kingdom of grace begins in the heart.' (DA506)

How Do We Become Subjects
Of The Kingdom?

`In our knowledge of Christ and His love the kingdom of God is placed in the midst of us.' (COL317)

`The kingdom of God comes not with outward show. It comes through the gentleness of the inspiration of His word, through the inward working of His Spirit, the fellowship of the soul with Him who is its life.' (MH36)

`[In the sermon on the mount, Jesus] told them the conditions of entrance [into the kingdom].' (DA299 - See (Matthew 5:3-6)

(1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' [I am a sinner]

(2) `Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.'
[I'm sorry that I am a sinner]

(3) `Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.'
[I acknowledge that sin has the better of me]

(4) `Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.'
[I come daily to your fountain to be cleansed of sin] 

At the heart of the kingdom, there is a city. At the heart of the city, there is a temple . . . `If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.' (1 Corinthians 3:17)

[See The Only Road To True Happiness]

Who are the subjects
of the kingdom?

`All those who do His will.' (TM422)

What constitutes greatness
in God's kingdom?

`To be great in God's kingdom is to be a little child in humility, in simplicity of faith, and in the purity of love. All pride must perish, all jealousy be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be encouraged.' (5T130)

The City of God

What does the city of God represent?

`The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called, ``the bride, the Lamb's wife.'' The bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church.' (GC426/7)

When did Jesus `marry' His city bride?

`I saw that while Jesus was in the most holy place, He would be married to the New Jerusalem; and after this work should be accomplished in the holiest, He would descend to the earth in kingly power and to take unto Himself the precious ones who had patiently waited His return.' (EW251)

The Call to Enter The City

`Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. They will be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, The City No Longer Deserted.' (Isaiah 62:10,12)

`Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures for ever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.' (Psalm 100:4,5)

`Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? Beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries out.' (Proverbs 8:1-3)

What is the condition
for entering the city?

`It is impossible to grow up into Christ, our living head, unless we practice the lesson He has given us of sympathy, compassion and love. It is impossible to reflect the image of Christ unless this love which is of heavenly birth, is in the soul. No one will pass the portals of the city of God who does not reflect this attribute.' (SD148)

`Not to all who would enter will the gates of that city be opened, but to those only who have studied to know God's will, and have yielded their lives to His control.' (CT109)

`The city of God will open its golden gates to receive him who learned while on earth to lean on God for guidance and wisdom, for comfort and hope, amid loss and affliction.' (MB100)

`Here are specified who shall be crowned in the city of God and who shall have no part with the just. ``Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.'' ' (5T693)

The Temple Of God

What Lessons Does The Earthly Temple/Sanctuary Teach?

`Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.' (Ps 48:9)

`I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.' (Ps 63:2)

`Another lesson the tabernacle, through its service of sacrifice, was to teach - the lesson of pardon of sin, and power through the Saviour for obedience unto life. In all, God desired His people to read His purpose for the human soul.' (Ed36)

What Is The Spiritual Equivalent
Of The Earthly Sanctuary?

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?' (1 Cor 3:16)

`Christ is the head of the church, his body.' (Eph 5:23)

`[Jesus] spake of the temple of his body.' (John 2:21)

If We Are The Body of Jesus and The Temple Of God, How Should We Treat This Temple?

`If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.' (1 Cor 3:17)

`What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.' (2 Cor 6:16)

The Promise

`Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.' (Malachi 3:1)