Enter the Kingdom
GOD is spirit (JOHN 4:24), so it goes without saying that HIS kingdom must also be a spiritual kingdom. If we don't see HIS kingdom today, it isn't because it doesn't exist, but rather because we haven't yet been given an eye to see spiritual realities. HIS kingdom isn't a physical kingdom that is awaiting some future date to materialize. Rather, it is a spiritual kingdom that transcends space and time. This is how Yeshua could say, "...The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" [or "among you", as some translate] (LUKE 17:20,21). The kingdom of GOD does not come with observation! It is not over there. It is not over here. What great truths for those who have ears to hear. It is only seen, it is only realized when our eyes are opened by the grace of GOD to see it.
The kingdom of GOD today, is the same kingdom of GOD that Yeshua described, as it was the same kingdom of GOD described for us in the Book of Kings.
2 KINGS 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Indeed, the spiritual kingdom of GOD is not going to come with observation, for it is already here, an unseen invisible reality. Many of Yeshua's followers were unaware of its presence, as they were looking for a physical kingdom, one which they could see and feel and taste. They were still looking for a land which flowed with milk and honey where GOD would again establish a kingdom like unto David's and Solomon's. They saw not "a city...whose builder and maker is God" (HEBREWS 11:10).
Yet, even though GOD's kingdom is unseen by the physical eye, it is not beyond our reach. Though we are physical and it is spiritual, our minds can transcend the great gulf fixed between the two dimensions. How else could Yeshua encourage His followers to "seek ye first the kingdom of God" (MATTHEW 6:33) unless it can be entered in this present life. If the kingdom of GOD is only available after we die, then how were Yeshua's followers to seek it first? No, Yeshua's instruction was to seek it first, in the here and now.
MATTHEW 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Yeshua accused the religious elite that they "neither go in yourselves". His accusation only made sense if it was indeed a present reality to enter the kingdom in this life. It must be a present reality for the verse to make sense.
Of the nearly one hundred occurrences in the New Testament of the term "kingdom of heaven" or "kingdom of God", not once are we told that we enter it when we die or when we are resurrected. We do not enter HIS kingdom upon death or even by resurrection, but by simple obedience to GOD (MARK 1:15).
MATTHEW 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
To enter that hidden kingdom requires only one thing, obedience. We must continually obey GOD to find that narrow way.
The kingdom of GOD, the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of heaven are not three different places, but three different aspects or descriptions of the same place. The kingdom of GOD and Christ are both in heaven (MARK 16:19) and heaven is simply a dimension beyond our physical world (JOHN 1:51). Only by doing, which is obeying, which is believing GOD, can we enter that hidden kingdom.
By our obedience to GOD's word, HE will lead us into HIS kingdom. First we must repent and turn from our carnal ways. We must set aside the desires of the flesh which veil from us the reality of HIS hidden kingdom and which hinder our entrance. We must learn to walk by faith, by the spirit and cease from being driven by the desires of the flesh. Our steps must begin to be ordered by HIS word. Then we will begin to be in the necessary mental state to comprehend that HIS hidden kingdom truly is at hand.
MATTHEW 4:16, 17 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
GOD's kingdom does not lie beyond our reach, somewhere in the ethereal blue yonder, but rather is close at hand. It is here, now, almost close enough to touch. Through our obedience, as we come to understand the things of GOD, that kingdom manifest itself to us. As Yeshua told one of His disciples when he answered discreetly, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God" (MARK 12:34). Yeshua didn't mean that this disciple was about to die and enter the pearly gates of heaven. That is not how we enter HIS kingdom. He was telling the man that his response revealed his closeness to a spiritual awakening.
This earthly kingdom in which our physical tabernacle presently resides is enveloped in a thick darkness. Dwelling here we are engulfed by that darkness. Howbeit, a light is sprung up, casting upon death a shadow. That light is the word of truth. As we hear, believe and obey that truth, the light gradually dispels the darkness and the kingdom of GOD is revealed unto us. Every experience of life has the potential to shape us, mold us, create within us a heart to receive the things of GOD.
Paul encouraged his listeners that they "should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us" (ACTS 17:27). To seek the LORD is not to travel to the Bible lands. Nor is it to seek death and resurrection. Rather, it is to seek HIM as Yeshua instructs us to seek HIM. To enter that kingdom, we must "be converted, and become as little children" (MATTHEW 18:3), we must be "born of water and of the Spirit" (JOHN 3:5). Only then can we see to enter that hidden kingdom.
COLOSSIANS 1:13 Who [GOD] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [transported] us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
This spiritual kingdom of GOD is a present reality now. But it can only be entered when GOD translates (transports) us into it. It is then that we pass from death unto life (JOHN 5:24). Not physically but spiritually. During the Old Testament times the Jews were shown the way into a physical kingdom, a land flowing with milk and honey. But beyond that is available the spiritual kingdom of which entrance is narrow and "few there be that find it".
We have all been born into bondage. There is a Great Sea that lies before us, that has prevented us from entering into that kingdom wherein lies our liberty. When GOD stretches forth HIS mighty arm and divides the waters, we must obey HIS command and cross over if we are to enter therein.
LUKE 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Yeshua revealed the true way into the kingdom of GOD. Since then, those answering GOD's call have crowded into this narrow way. But not all find the way, not all seek to enter that kingdom for they are content with the "treasures of Egypt".
As Yeshua taught the people, He "lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God" (LUKE 6:20). To the poor belongs the kingdom, not to the rich. This is because the rich easily insulates himself from the workings of GOD. Wealth makes a person more susceptible to the deceivings of the world. The rich depend upon their wealth to entertain them, to cure them, to protect them, to lead them. The poor must rely on the invisible GOD to lead them to, into and through HIS kingdom.
LUKE 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
We are only poor and rich in this world, not in the hereafter. None of us are either rich or poor after we die. Therefore, if it is indeed harder for a rich man to enter than for a poor man, entering the kingdom of GOD must be available now, in this life, where we are now rich or poor.
PSALM 118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: