How near is the Kingdom? So many are looking for the Kingdom, only they are thinking organization, structure, thrones, rulership, etc.. Others are waiting for the Kingdom, watching the signs surrounding Israel, having relinquished any idea of the Kingdom's existence apart from the second coming. The truth is, the Kingdom is here now, ruled over by King Jesus, only you have to know where, at the moment, to find it and be willing to accept what it is when you find it. Unfortunately, that eliminates a lot of Kingdom seekers. I know there is a coming Kingdom but there is a Kingdom now, if only we will enter in.
The Bible (Ro. 14:17), says the "Kingdom", for right now, available to all, is "righteousness, peace and joy". That is what it is, clearly identified so you will know the boundaries. And, it is "in the Holy Ghost". That is where it is. This is one reason why the Bible also says that no man can call Jesus Lord, except by the Holy Ghost. That is where His rulership is found and expressed. Want to be led, ruled over, by the Lord, the King? Be continuously filled and led of the Spirit and you got it! Many are those who will miss the Kingdom, in the here and now, because they won't look where it is found. The incredible, insidious, fierce and long standing resistance to the Holy Ghost is resistance to the Lord Jesus and somehow, someway, Satan has managed to disguise the resistance for a long, long time. Where do you look to "seek first" the Kingdom? Be filled with the Spirit, again and again and you have done your seeking!
What is the Kingdom? "Righteousness" You get the gift of Righteousness, something religion will do all it can to keep you from even knowing about. You have right standing with God and it is a free gift. Until you accept it, the Kingdom will escape you. When you accept it, you become as bold as a lion and grace is released at unprecedented levels. Grace works through this gift (Ro. 5:21). "Peace" There is a wonderful peace found only in the Kingdom. You are at one with God, floating in the River, loving life, people, and the Holy Ghost. In days of trouble, the Comfort of God will rise up like an ocean tide. You, minding the things of the Spirit, know there is now no "enmity" between you and God (Ro.8:6-7). "Joy" Now you can do what you are most often commanded to do. Rejoice evermore and always...which is all the time. Now you begin to enjoy God, like never before. Now you begin to approach God like a happy kid.
Every element of the now Kingdom is experiential, not mere knowledge. It is one thing to say "Oh, I know all that". But, have you experienced it? I have and I might just say "it is wonderful". It took me a while to get it all worked out. I had to learn and mostly unlearn a lot of things. But, oh when the Spirit presses the Kingdom upon you....it is awesome! The joy, which so many depressed religious folks just can't seem to help themselves from hating, is awesome, awesome, awesome. It is intoxicating! And, the sweet peace gives a sense of intimacy I don't have words to express. The gift of righteousness first brings great relief from the burden of religion, then great boldness, then greater faith, then greater grace.
If you understand this, you will whisper with me "Thy Kingdom come". You will set your life in order, seeking "first" the Kingdom. And, you will learn to love the Holy Ghost, knowing He is where this is all found. In Him, you find the Lord. In Him, you find the King and the Kingdom. In Him, that "another" Comforter, you find the original Comforter - Jesus Christ the Lord. Oh, today my friend...Be Filled! Today, cry out of a thirsty heart, for another drink of Living Water, the indispensable Holy Ghost.
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