Pastor Dwight McKissic blogs at “Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr: A New Blog for a Pneuma Time.”
Our nation is ill-at-ease. The number one item purchased on Black Friday was guns. Ebola, ISIS and terrorism are threatening us from afar. Questionable and controversial Grand Jury decisions have erupted into civil unrest within. Race-relations; family life; definition of a family; church attendance; economic wellbeing; and optimism about our collective future are all undergoing serious revisions, doubts and uncertainty daily.
It seems as if foundations are crumbling. Land marks are being removed. Creation is groaning. The church that Paul described as the pillar and ground of truth is virtually helpless to address the nation’s ills. Because we are divided by race, denomination, doctrine, politics, and a common vision, the church is essentially seated on the side lines—while Rome is burning—trumpeting an uncertain and muted sound.
We often hear that the only hope for our nation is the gospel of Jesus Christ. But the reality is, the church—even Southern Baptists—don’t all agree on what the gospel is. Could it be that families, churches, school systems, city governments, police departments, court systems, the white House, and American Society as a whole are suffering from a deprivation of, definition of, and delivery of the gospel? The church is engaged in a debate as to what really is the gospel? How can we proclaim a gospel to a decaying and dying world that we can’t even define?
The first time the word gospel is mentioned in the New Testament it has a qualifying term accompanying it: “…the gospel of the kingdom…” (Matthew 4:23). Jesus made it clear that before He returned, not just the gospel, but the “gospel of the kingdom shall be preached” (Matthew 24:14).
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14).
The American Evangelical Church has preached the gospel, but have we preached the “gospel of the kingdom”?
During slavery the Baptist churches in the South would preach the gospel of the cross one Sunday, and the gospel of segregation and slavery the next? Were they truly preaching the “gospel of the Kingdom”?
The gospel preached in America has the qualifying element often missing, that Jesus said is indispensable to the preaching of the gospel, and that is—“the kingdom.” It is impossible to preach the gospel as commissioned by Jesus without preaching “the kingdom.” Much of our preaching is devoid of “the kingdom” which may explain the leanness in our souls and in our pews.
“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” (Matthew 9:35)
Not only did Jesus preach “the gospel of the kingdom” he told his disciples, “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matthew 10:7). Jesus’ final message to his disciples concerned itself with “things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).
The disciples followed Jesus’ model and obeyed Him preaching the kingdom. Consequently, they “filled Jerusalem with your doctrine” (Acts 5:28). What doctrine? The answer is “gospel of the kingdom.” The same doctrine Jesus indoctrinated them with for forty days (Acts 1:3). The disciples “turned the world upside down…saying that there is another king, one Jesus” (Acts 17:6-7). The disciples preached, not just the gospel…but “the gospel of the kingdom.”
Fast forward to today and we are debuting whether or not the gospel includes the kingdom. Southern Baptist pastor, Dr. Randy White, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Katy, Texas, considers the preaching of the kingdom as a present reality and a further hope is “The Kingdom Error.” Pastor White believes that the Kingdom is exclusively a future hope, but not a present reality. He believes that “One of the most pervasive doctrinal errors in the church today pertains to the kingdom of God.”
Pastor Randy White believes,
“The Kingdom of God is the future, earthly Kingdom in which Christ is the sovereign King who rules the nations from the throne of David. It is a physical Kingdom, based in Israel, with the Messiah as the sole Monarch. It is the coming Theocracy. It has Israel at its core, the Messiah on its throne, and the nations of the earth as its sphere. This is the kind of Kingdom that is so clearly taught by the Prophets and understood by the Apostles. In fact, no sane interpretation of the Prophets could conclude anything other than a future physical Kingdom for Israel and established by God with the Messiah as monarch. To conclude any less would be to grossly abuse every principle of Biblical interpretation.
To “seek first the Kingdom of God” does not mean to get your spiritual priorities in order. In fact, such an interpretation would make the remainder of Matthew 6:33 contradict many other Scriptures, even in the Sermon on the Mount. Because the Kingdom is future and physical, to seek His Kingdom is to live for the coming age, not the current age. It is to understand that this age is filled with poverty and persecution, but the coming age is when all these things will be added unto you. To seek His Kingdom is to long for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8), and to pray come quickly, Lord Jesus!” – See more at: http://www.randywhiteministries.org/2012/02/23/the-kingdom-error/#sthash.ESP7O1X4.dpuf
Pastor White preaches and applies his view of the kingdom to current reactions to the verdict in Ferguson.
“Ferguson, MO has erupted in barbaric violence that should cause all law-abiding citizens to demand the restoration of the rule-of-law, but the Evangelical world is preaching kum-ba-ya sermons about race-relations.” – See more at: http://www.randywhiteministries.org/2014/11/26/dont-understand-evangelical-response-ferguson/#sthash.b4hsszLu.dpuf
Pastor White seems to see no connection to the happenings in Ferguson to race-relations. Interesting? He admits, “I’ve gotta say, I just don’t get it.”
Pastor White strongly objects to Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southern Seminary, Matthew Hall’s, position that “all Christians should be mindful of the gospel’s demand for racial reconciliation and justice.” Pastor White believes that racial reconciliation is “not a doctrinal or theological issue, and certainly not a ‘gospel demand.’ If there is something biblical that expresses racial reconciliation as a gospel demand, I’ve missed it.”
Along comes a fellow Southern Baptist, Russell Moore, who articulates quite a contrarian, but biblical, viewpoint related to White’s view of the gospel not demanding racial reconciliation. Dr. Moore acknowledges that there are those in the south who are saying “there is no gospel issue in racial reconciliation.” To which he responds:
“Are you kidding me? There is nothing clearer in the New Testament that the gospel breaks down the dividing walls that we have between one another. The gospel is what turns us away from hating our brother so much… If that is not a gospel issue then I don’t know what is.”
When one considers that we are commanded to not just preach, but preach “the gospel of the kingdom” that Kingdom would inherently include justice and racial reconciliation. Micah 6:8 says:
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). Jesus made unity with all people a prerequisite to world evangelism. He prayed:
“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21)
Jesus commanded that the gospel be preached to every creature which implies racial reconciliation. Because we have separated the gospel from the kingdom, we don’t see the gospel’s relationship to kingdom justice. Thank God for Russell Moore, he sees it!
The Evangelical Church has been preaching a gospel devoid of justice, kingdom and racial reconciliation. We are now reaping the harvest in our land of a kingdom-less gospel. May we all begin to preach the gospel of the kingdom!
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that salvation through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus is available now (Acts 20:21).
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that eternal life through the only true God and Jesus Christ is available now (John 17:3).
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that abundant life is available to the believer through a vital relationship with Christ the king…now (John 10:10).
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that the Kingdom of God has invaded the earth realm through Jesus Christ the King, and His kingdom is an unshakeable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that Christ’s kingdom is an eternal Kingdom (Luke 1:33).
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that inherent in His kingdom is spiritual, relational, emotional, and economic resources for the poor and poor in spirit (Luke 6:20; Matthew 5:25-31; Philippians 4:19).
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that inherent in His kingdom is racial reconciliation, inclusion, and equality (Revelation 22:17; Matthew 13:47; Galatians 3:28).
- The gospel of the kingdom is the good news that Christ came to liberate the oppressed (Luke 4:16-19).
A gospel that does not demand racial reconciliation, justice, and mercy is a gospel that I don’t want. Thank God for Russell Moore who stated, “Christian, if you don’t believe these are gospel issues we face today, we don’t believe the same gospel.”
For years the Southern Baptist Convention preached that the ground was level at the foot of the cross, but then made it multi-level in classrooms, church rooms, board rooms, halls of Congress and court rooms. It may be that God is giving Southern Baptists a second chance to get it right. May we not just preach the gospel, but preach and practice the “gospel of the kingdom”!
When we received the King, we also received His Kingdom. Now the question is one of application. As the kingdoms of this world are shaking, people are going to begin to search for an “unshakeable kingdom.” May the Lord place us on one accord so that we can preach, proclaim and demonstrate His unshakeable kingdom to a world desperate for answers!
Am I right in saying that most Dispensationalists are now progressives, having accepted a more Ladd-ish understanding of the Kingdom? I have a few family members more dispensational than I am. I’ll defer to them (Uncle Dave?).
Progressive Dispensationalists, that is.
It is my impression, from what I’ve read from Dr. White, that he might be more of an old school dispensationalist. Much of what he says in his post is rooted in the Ryrie-style dispensationalism.
Dave
Let’s be careful with the word “Ryrie Style”…one of my heroes 🙂
It was not an insult. I studied under him at Dallas. It was a description of an older style of Dispensationalism – defined in his book.
Dave
I understood…just an attempt at humor. You are correct in your analysis, his was classic dispensational.
J. Vernon McGee used to say, “We aren’t here to clean up the pond, just to fish from it.”
Vernon usually said it well.
J. Vernon McGee said it well….We are to fish, not clean up the pond. One day, the Lord Jesus is gonna clean up the pond.
But, of course, when a fella gets saved, then it’ll certainly make a difference in the way we live, down here, on this Earth, in the here and now.
David
Dr. Bill Pinson says “the Gospel changed my life now I want to change the world”
That is absolutely a sad statement. The good news of the gospel will transform the world.
Just sayin…
Joseph
I don’t want to pick a fight here or dwell on this, but what he meant was since Jesus change his life, he now has a desire to work to change issues in our world like racism, hunger, and other social atrocities. I am not sure how this could be called a “sad statement”.
Joseph
I think there is a difference between “change” and “transform” I cannot “transform” a man’s mind but I can work to bring change in the way things are done. For example I cannot “transform” a man’s heart and cause him to forsake his racism. However I can work to change laws and practices that forbids him to exercise his racism by discriminating against a race of people by refusing to let him eat in a restaurant etc.
Simple minded solutions are front runners for disaster, the kind of approach from which Southern Baptists have been suffering for over a hundred years. Consider the idea that the kingdom is future. Our Lord said the Kingdom is among you. He also said to His people, I am coming to you every second of every minute of every hour of every day (Present tense renderings of the I will come states in John 14 which should be rendered, “I am coming to you.” The most neglected coming of our Lord is His present coming. As to the preaching in the… Read more »
The church that I pastor was founded in 1847. I forget exactly how many charter members there were…something like 15, or 18, or something like that….but anyway, 2 of them were slaves…2 Black women…you can read their names on the list of charter members, right alongside the names of the White members. They don’t have last names; just first names. And, from what I understand, the same is true in some other Churches in West TN.
Interesting.
David
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas,… Read more »
Dean,
Amen to what you said, and to what Dr. Randy White said, and to what the Apostle Paul said.
David
Dean and David,
The SBC has a real problem if we don’t agree on what the gospel is. On this issue, how can two walk together except they agree? Does the majority of the SBC believe as the three of you believe. And that is that the gospel does not include the kingdom? Or, is that what you believe? Please explain. I’m utterly confused? Dean and David, you all see the Kingdom as total futuristic and not with us now?
Most in the SBC agree on what the gospel of salvation is…
It is as Dean so well stated. Nothing more. Nothing Less.
Dwight, I believe you know that White uses the term “Gospel” as the Gospel of salvation as he addresses Hall’s thoughts that racial reconciliation is a Gospel demand. I state my position again, “Gospel” has historically been defined as the means of salvation that allows one to become part of the kingdom i.e. the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I would reject racial reconciliation or anything else added to the death, burial, resurrection of Jesus Christ as part of “the Gospel.” I see the Kingdom of God having both a present and futuristic aspect to it. When one… Read more »
Amen to what Dean said, again.
The Gospel is God’s way to salvation. That’s it. That’s what it is.
Now, when we get saved, of course, we become a part of the Kingdom of God. And, most certainly, the Gospel changes our lives. And, the Holy Spirit living within us will cause us to love Black people, and White people, and Chinese people, and American Indians, and everyone else. The Lord will change our lives, and teach us, and grow us into the people He wants us to be.
David
Dean, “If anyone adds racial reconciliation, baptism, what translation Bible you read or anything else to the Gospel of Jesus Christ Paul is clear in Galatians 1:8 they are accursed. Are these Kingdom matters – you bet. Are they Gospel matters – you bet not. The Gospel has been clearly understood to be the saving work of Jesus Christ through His death, burial and resurrection. I stand with Paul and Dr. White on this issue. If some are now defining the Gospel as something other than the death, burial, resurrection, appearances to others and the second-coming of Jesus this is… Read more »
Tarheel et.al.
Well said, good theology
To all, The good news is that these grand jury decisions are pulling the covers off of the church. I read earlier today that the SBC was silent on race issues. Understanding now how many in the SBC view the gospel I can understand why. The Black Baptist Church and the SBC are a thousand miles apart on this issue. This really is an interesting discovery for me. It explains in part the silence on race issues as it relates to contemporary issues. It explains that Richard Land was probably right when he said that all the majority of the… Read more »
Dwight,
I think it is important to be aware that not all dispensationalists, or versions of dispensationalism, are the same. I, for example, lean toward a generally dispensational approach to end-times prophecy (though I am also open to the historical pre-mill approach). I most certainly do not, however, sign off on White’s implications of where these beliefs lead you with regard to how you approach the relationship of justice, love in action, and the gospel.
Dwight,
I agree with you 100% about the “great divide.”
I think we differ on who is at fault, if your post is to be read as “the majority of SBC churches have what you consider appalling racial views.”
Maybe there is something I missed and these words have a nuance that I just did not get.
Personally, I was embarrassed and saddened by Land’s statements, though I recognize we all make mistakes.
I want to assure you that I believe the gospel only comes in one color: rainbow.
Dwight, He is not wise who derives his opinion of the SBC from blogging. Five minutes before David Rogers and Jim Richards stood for election as 1VP of the SBC, I sat down at a random spot, all alone, in the convention hall. As you may recall, that election drew a lot of energy and attention from the blogs. So, as they announced that they wanted nominators to come forward, a group of four preachers seated just behind me started conversing: “Jim Richards? Who’s that? David Rogers? Never heard of him. Who are you voting for? I don’t know. Let’s… Read more »
Of course, I slipped each of them a $20 to vote the way I wanted.
🙂
Given enough time, the truth eventually comes to light.
I did not realize that the SBC embraced dispensationalism and a Kingdom future only theology. Not all of us. I don’t think we’re going to create utopia here on earth, but neither do I think the Gospel is a future only impact and can’t change the world for the better. In fact, I cringed a little inside when I read White’s words. Yes, the Gospel is the good news of Christ and the way of salvation. I don’t think anyone denies that. But that message carries with it a whole host of impacts and responsibilities, and racial reconciliation is one… Read more »
Dwight: Southern Baptists, like most Whites are not truly aware of the Black experience in American History. In fact, most are not even aware of the Native American experience in American History. This is due in part to our educational system which was designed to promote division ever since the government got in control of it. Even when the government seems about the business of promoting unity, etc., it does so in such a way as to create irritability and alienation. Most Americans are not aware, for example, that in the past 40 years the Middle Class has been all… Read more »
I don’t think anyone in the SBC (at least that I know of) is arguing that racial reconciliation or any other type of social action is the gospel in its essence. But at the same time the gospel of 1 Cor. 15:1-11 becomes the foundation for which Gospel-believers deal with all of life’s issues (thus the bulk of 1 Corinthians sorting out reconciliation with one another). We are right to say that reconciliation with God is of “first importance” in the sense that anything but that will leave us in our sins and doomed eternally. But it moves us to… Read more »
Andy Miller and David Rogers,
I loved those great insights. As I understand what the two of you said here, I totally agree.
Andy, This is a direct quote from Matthew Hall that Dr. White addressed, “all Christians should be mindful of the gospel’s demands for racial reconciliation and justice.” – See more at: hhttp://www.canonandculture.com/whats-the-big-deal-with-race/
The Gospel demands racial reconciliation and justice – Matthew Hall.
I agree with Hall. Again, I don’t think he or anyone else is arguing that doing racial reconciliation or justice is the gospel in essence, as some form of works righteousness. Rather, the gospel provides the logic for reconciliation for people who would never otherwise be reconciled. I think we all agree that God makes demands upon Christians. Is it not his saving action in Christ that he uses as the grounds for these demands? Indicative…imperative.
Andy, intelligence must run in your family.
Ditto: It seems pretty clear.
Dean, Who would not agree that 1 Corinthians 15: 1-8 is the gospel? When Jesus referred to the “gospel of the Kingdom” what did that mean? Wouldn’t the resurrection include “the power of the resurrection,”; and the rule and reign of Christ in every realm…including race relations, righteous, and justice issues? The gospel that you, David Worley, and Randy White believe in and preach, is not inclusive of Christ reigning and ruling over all of the affairs of man..as ruling over a Kingdom? I know that Pastor White disagrees with Dr. Moore and Dr. Matthew Hall on the gospel being… Read more »
I think the biblical balance on this question hinges on the distinction Greg Gilbert and Kevin DeYoung make in their book, What is the Mission of the Church?, between a “wide-lens perspective” of the gospel and a “zoom-lens perspective” of the gospel. I review this book and discuss this issue briefly here: http://sbcimpact.org/2011/09/09/what-is-the-mission-of-the-church/
Dwight, you do not have my permission to make up what you think I believe. “The gospel that you, David Worley, and Randy White believe in and preach, is not inclusive of Christ reigning and ruling over all of the affairs of man..as ruling over a Kingdom” No where have I said that. You ask,”Wouldn’t the resurrection include “the power of the resurrection,”; and the rule and reign of Christ in every realm…including race relations, righteous, and justice issues?” Yes, it would in the life of the redeemed. You ask, “Dean and David Worley, are the two of you also… Read more »
Dwight, I believe that the Kingdom of God is everywhere where God rules…..right here and now….in the hearts of Believers, and over the Church, and in Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is what’s coming. And, Dwight, I believe the Gospel is the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus….and, being saved by grace thru faith. That’s the Gospel. Now then, does the Gospel affect the way we live afterwards? Yes, of course. If it doesn’t, then we don’t really know the Gospel. Because, Jesus will make a difference in the way we live out our life on this Earth. Truly knowing… Read more »
David W.,
Would you consider your first sentence regarding the Kingdom the gospel as well? My definition of the gospel would include your sentence on the Kingdom and your sentence on the facts of the gospel: death, burial, resurrection etc. Does yours?
Dwight, I think the Gospel is what Jesus did for us, for our salvation. That’s the Gospel. Now, as I have said, the Gospel believed in the heart, should lead to living out our faith in everyday living. I mean, salvation makes us a new creation with a new heart, which leads to good works. And, our changed hearts should cause Black Christians and White Christians to love each other….as equals….and treat each other like we want people to treat us. AND, it should cause us to want to see racial tensions eased. And, I do, Brother; I do. I… Read more »
While it is vitally important to distinguish the root from the fruit, it is also vitally important to be clear that the root and the fruit are both parts of the same tree. Eph. 2:8-10.
I responded to Randy White here: http://www.downshoredrift.com/downshoredrift/2014/12/randy-white-doesnt-understand-why-racial-reconciliation-is-a-gospel-issue.html He is wrong. Racial Reconciliation IS a gospel issue. It is a RESULT of the Gospel rightly believed and applied, as 1 John tells us that loving our brother is a RESULT of the Gospel. Jesus said that the “Gospel of the Kingdom” would be preached to all nations and then the end would come (Matthew 24:14). Everywhere Jesus went, He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom, which is the good news of the reign and rule of God. Racial Reconciliation IN CHRIST is part of that good news. It is a RESULT… Read more »
Amen!
Alan You are right, yet you are wrong. There are some thing that must be done by the Christian but there is a sequence with a starting point that leads to possible outcomes. As I stated the Gospel is “what must I do to be saved”, When I am saved I become a part of the church and desire to be more Christ like. The Church has a mission. Part of the mission is the brotherhood of man, but not limited to that. The gospel and the mission of the church are two different discussions. This is what Dr. Pinson… Read more »
I never said that racial reconciliation was the gospel. I said that it was an implication/result of the gospel of the Kingdom. Wherever the gospel goes, it makes a new man out of those who were once alienated from God and at war with one another. So, while it is not THE gospel, it is directly related to the gospel – and not because I say so but because Scripture is clear on this over and over and over again. If this is a big enough deal for Scripture to clearly state it, then it is a big enough deal… Read more »
“I never said that racial reconciliation was the gospel. I said that it was an implication/result of the gospel of the Kingdom.”
A statement no one will disagree with.
Dean,
Would Randy White, David W., Rick Pruitt…agree with that statement?
Dwight, I can’t speak for anyone but from reading these guys I would bet my last dime they would agree with that statement. Racial equality is a result of the Gospel but is not the Gospel. I am certain they would agree.
Yes, I agree. Racial reconciliation…peace between races….loving each other and treating each other as equals….is the RESULT of the Gospel.
David
Alan I think we are saying the same thing. I think that perhaps I understand racial reconciliation perhaps in a different way. You correctly say that we were at war with God and others. However reconciliation in this context is not a racial issue as I see it but a human/mankind issue. Through the Gospel I am not reconciled to a race of people I am reconciled to to people of all races. Racial reconciliation as we have been discussing is seeking to be rid of racism and accepting a man for who he is and not the color of… Read more »
Let me be blunt. Dr. White does a have a racist bone in his body. He used some terminology that people define in different ways. Each of come at this with our own understanding of these terms. That is the problem with words unfortunately that is all we have.
Something happened to the word “not”. I meant to say he does NOT have a racist bone in hi body.
Randy White does not say racial reconciliation is not a “Gospel issue.” He says it is not a “Gospel demand.” There is a difference.
He said it wasn’t a doctrinal or theological issue.
John, I was making reference to two articles I read recently by Randy White. In those articles he didn’t say racial reconciliation was not a “gospel issue.” He said racial equality was not a “gospel demand.”
However, I just went to another website and read a comment he made in a conversation stream and he did indeed say racial equality is not a “Gospel issue.”
Alan, I apologize for correcting you when you indeed were correct. If racial equality is a “Gospel demand” so is forgiveness. Thanks.
John,
If one’s theology holds that racial reconciliation is not a gospel, theological, or doctrinal issue; then, is it really be an important issue? Our agendas are so full, would really be serious and focused to address and seek to rectify a matter that we consider not germane to the gospel.
Dwight,
Of course, it’s still a serious issue. To obey God is a very serious issue. Just because it’s not the Gospel, it’s still a serious issue. Christians should take obedience to God as a very serious thing…always. Thus, if we take loving people…no matter what color their skin….no matter how rich or poor…no matter how smart or not…..as a command of God, which it is….then, we will most certainly take it serious.
DAvid
David W,
What then do you do with the expression “the gospel of the Kingdom”?
Brother Dwight, I want to say first of all that I strenuously disagree with Randy White. So to answer your question, racial reconciliation has got to be a doctrinal and theological issue. The bible teaching of God’s view of humanity, the fact that He is no respecter of persons, the fact that the Advent of Christ was good tidings of great joy to all people are all indicators that this is gospel issue. I will give some examples of how our views toward races effect the gospel of the kingdom. There was a time in our not too distant past… Read more »
Dwight,
There’s only one Gospel. Only one. And, we’re told what that Gospel is. It’s the virgin birth, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and the ascension. It’s repenting and putting our faith in Jesus. That is the Gospel….the only Gospel.
The Gospel of the Kingdom is the Gospel, which ushers us into the Kingdom of God….and, ultimately, into the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s the Gospel, which makes us a part of God’s Kingdom. The moment that we get saved, we become a member of the Kingdom of God….with the Kingdom of Heaven waiting on us, in the future.
David
David W., I agree with every word that you said about the gospel of the kingdom. The word kingdom is a loaded word that obviously had significance, meaning and purpose when Jesus used it. There are four characteristics of a kingdom. I’ll only mention one here to make my point. And that is “rulees” or subjects. You can’t have a kingdom without people. Impossible. Inasmuch in the Divine providence of God He made the races distinct(Acts 17: 26), and those races scattered at the tower of Babel broken….reconciling them into His Kingdom and to each other is a part of… Read more »