The Kingdom of God

[DonGenaro]

What do you think it is?

[Bl4ck3n3D]

The Kingdom of God is technically the 12th Divine Kingdom of the most High, although this earth is soon to be transformed into the Kingdom of God on earth.

[xexon]

It's not a place but a state of being.

You were already in the kingdom before you took on human form. The human mind closes off your ability to see any further than your physical senses. A spiritual journey is all about restoring that ability while still in the body.

You enter the kingdom when you achieve this, just like Jesus did.



x

[RELAYER]

There is no knowing 'what' the kingdom is. But rather living it out. Jesus said we must become as little children in order to enter it. The Tao Te Ching says we must remain as young trees which bend with the world and therefor dont break. This leads me to think that there is no way of knowing, since youth has experience and amazement rather than knowledge and boredom.
For me the kingdom is where I go during prayer that fills me with bliss, but a state I am unable to retain all the time because I am too absorbed in my thoughts as an adult most of the time. It's not that I leave that state, I dont even think that's possible. It's just that it gets covered in layers and I have to pick them up all over again, day after day :tongue:
God bless

[DonGenaro]

..

[xexon]

Jesus also said "Our" father...

Not just his.

We are all children of God. The kingdom opens when you realize this truth.

x

[Okiefreak]

"The Kingdom of God is spread out everywhere upon the earth, and people do not see it." Gospel of Thomas. I think Jesus presented the Kingdom of God as an alternative to the Kingdom of Men like Caesar and Herod. It was His vision of something already begun, by his preaching, and that he expected to be fulfilled, as more people caught on to his message--this earth transformed by agapic love.

[DonGenaro]

..

[Bhaskar]

Did trhe master also not say "The kingdom of heaven is within you." How then could it be a system of government? It is indeed a state of being in total communion with God, whence all peace and bliss reigns in your world. It is a personal transformation for each one to make.

[Okiefreak]

this "system of things" under satans rule is far from transformed to agapic love.
There are 30 ongoing wars going on right now on earth.So? Those wars reflect the reality that a lot of people didn't get the memo.

[kaminoishiki]

Kingdom of God, sounds pretty epic. I wonder if it's all that different from this very moment?

[orison319]

your in the kingdom of God.

duh?

[Xac]

Did trhe master also not say "The kingdom of heaven is within you." How then could it be a system of government?

Not that i am disagreeing with you but for discussions sake it is worth opening your mind up to the following possibility. If the kingdom of heaven is within all of us and all of us recognize it, is it not then likely that we would start to work together in a new way? organize a system to live by that is perfect?

[Bhaskar]

Not that i am disagreeing with you but for discussions sake it is worth opening your mind up to the following possibility. If the kingdom of heaven is within all of us and all of us recognize it, is it not then likely that we would start to work together in a new way? organize a system to live by that is perfect?
You're right.
Then again, if we all recognized the kingdom within us, why would we need a system? Each one would be perfect in themselves.
Spirituality cannot be forced from outside through rules and laws. And when the inner change comes, there is no need for external laws.

[xexon]

Or religion.

It's a worthy goal to work towards.


x

[DonGenaro]

..

[BlackBillBlake]

Did trhe master also not say "The kingdom of heaven is within you." How then could it be a system of government? It is indeed a state of being in total communion with God, whence all peace and bliss reigns in your world. It is a personal transformation for each one to make.

The 'system of government' would presumably be one where no external laws or rules were needed, no government, as people would become self-regulated because of the spiritual consciousness.

This seems to be the position held by many anti-nomian type christians in the past, as against that of the orthodox, who don't it seems, have enough faith to trust wholly in the spirit. Like St.Paul with his equivocal attiude to the question of 'grace vs.law'.

[Bhaskar]

For it to work on that scale, we would have to be a planet of realized souls. I'm just saying.

[xexon]

This is the very reason it will never occur.

Enlightened beings capable of this kind of compassion are not interested in earthly life or living on a planet full of like minded people. This world is unreal to them. A dream.

They help people to escape this realm, not make them more comfortable within it.



x

[tikoo]

The 'system of government' would presumably be one where no external laws or rules were needed, no government, as people would become self-regulated because of the spiritual consciousness.



i think the spiritual conciousness for this is our natural reality . artificial thinking may subvert it , but it's still there .

many people support the Rule-Of-Law quite fervently . the Rule exemplifies mehanistic artificial thinking . it is an invention of language - a false religion . it serves the rule-makers . they claim authority is impartial , impersonal . yes , they will passionately kill anyone who defies them .

still , the divine anarchy will survive . it is goodness . it has power by the grace of creation . it is and shall be , just as every child is born to sing .

[Varuna]

The Kingdom of Heaven is the ideal society, where the bonds of community are known to be sacred. In the Kingdom of Heaven, the highest ideals (peace, love, truth, wisdom, consciousness, creativity, compassion, unity, transcendence) are celebrated as a source of joy, as a direct path to the divine. The highest ideals are known as a direct expression of God and are far more revered and respected than any individual's beauty, wealth, power, or fame (These things are perfectly respectable, of course, they just simply are not ends in themselves).

It is a perfectly practical, utopian vision that will come about when enough people realize it is the best way, the most natural way to live a good, fully human life. Any day now, right?

Peace and Love

[OlderWaterBrother]

Did trhe master also not say "The kingdom of heaven is within you." How then could it be a system of government? It is indeed a state of being in total communion with God, whence all peace and bliss reigns in your world. It is a personal transformation for each one to make.There are some who believe that a more accurate translation of Jesus’ words is that “the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Thus Jesus was saying; that he, God’s royal representative, the one anointed by God for the kingship, was in their midst.

That seems to agree better with the context and the way "kingdom of God" is used elsewhere in the Bible.

[Ukr-Cdn]

There are some who believe that a more accurate translation of Jesus’ words is that “the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Thus Jesus was saying; that he, God’s royal representative, the one anointed by God for the kingship, was in their midst.

That seems to agree better with the context and the way "kingdom of God" is used elsewhere in the Bible.

This also could mean that not only is there an otherworldly kingdom of god, but also that all of the saints on earth create the kingdom through their love towards their neighbour, social justice, et cetera.

[OlderWaterBrother]

This also could mean that not only is there an otherworldly kingdom of god, but also that all of the saints on earth create the kingdom through their love towards their neighbour, social justice, et cetera.Not from what I said, anyway.

[Ukr-Cdn]

I meant the "in your midst" part OWB

[Lolli]

Heaven is a very real place. there is only 1 way in. hell is also a real place.there are 1,000,000s of ways is. chose 1 and u will live 4ever in eternal peace. chose any of the others and.....it's been nice knowing ya. :)

[kaminoishiki]

Heaven is a very real place. there is only 1 way in. hell is also a real place.there are 1,000,000s of ways is. chose 1 and u will live 4ever in eternal peace. chose any of the others and.....it's been nice knowing ya. :)

are you 12, perhaps?

[snake_grass]

i dont know anything about the bible


but i can swear its yourself

and how you know yourself the best through the thought that your heart may produce

[Bhaskar]

There are some who believe that a more accurate translation of Jesus’ words is that “the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Thus Jesus was saying; that he, God’s royal representative, the one anointed by God for the kingship, was in their midst.

That seems to agree better with the context and the way "kingdom of God" is used elsewhere in the Bible.

Your interpretation of this translation is only one viewpoint. The statement could easily indicate that here and now, in all that is around you, is the kingdom of heaven, if you only have the eyes to see it.

If he was referring to himself as the kingdom, then why would he instruct us to pray "Let your kingdom come," when he had already come?

And if he were referring to himself as the kingdom of heaven, then "Thy kingdom come" could only mean let me be established in the same truth as Jesus, let me be one with him. This is very much possible as he himself promises us - empty yourselves and I shall make you sons of God. In fact the Kingdom of God is alread our deepest essence, for in our core we are already Sons of God. Which is why Jesus prescribed the prayer "Our Father who are in heaven," not "Jesus' father who are in heaven."

[OlderWaterBrother]

Your interpretation of this translation is only one viewpoint. The statement could easily indicate that here and now, in all that is around you, is the kingdom of heaven, if you only have the eyes to see it.

If he was referring to himself as the kingdom, then why would he instruct us to pray "Let your kingdom come," when he had already come?

And if he were referring to himself as the kingdom of heaven, then "Thy kingdom come" could only mean let me be established in the same truth as Jesus, let me be one with him. This is very much possible as he himself promises us - empty yourselves and I shall make you sons of God. In fact the Kingdom of God is alread our deepest essence, for in our core we are already Sons of God. Which is why Jesus prescribed the prayer "Our Father who are in heaven," not "Jesus' father who are in heaven."
Don't read very well, do you?

[Bhaskar]

Is that what Christians say these days when they can't think of a good answer?

[OlderWaterBrother]

Is that what Christians say these days when they can't think of a good answer?
Does this mean you are not a Christian and don’t belong in Sanctuary?

And to answer your question, no, that’s just what I say when it's apparent that you either didn't read or did not understand what I wrote.

[Bhaskar]

My being a Christian depends on how the term is defined. Do I believe Jesus is the only way and all others are damned to hell? No. Do I believe Jesus is a great spiritual teacher (oft much misunderstood)? Yes. Do I follow his teachings? To the best of my ability.

Anyway, rather than make snippy comments at each other, why don't explain since I was I too stupid to understand you the first time? And then I can return the favour.

[OlderWaterBrother]

My being a Christian depends on how the term is defined. Do I believe Jesus is the only way and all others are damned to hell? No. Do I believe Jesus is a great spiritual teacher (oft much misunderstood)? Yes. Do I follow his teachings? To the best of my ability. Thanx, just wondering.

Anyway, rather than make snippy comments at each other, why don't explain since I was I too stupid to understand you the first time? And then I can return the favour.I wasn’t trying to be snippy, I was just trying to get you to reread what had been said, so I wouldn’t have to go though it line by line. Oh well.

You said:
Your interpretation of this translation is only one viewpoint. and I agree that I only have one viewpoint but then you say that: The statement could easily indicate that here and now, in all that is around you, is the kingdom of heaven, if you only have the eyes to see it. then with your next statement you say:
If he was referring to himself as the kingdom, then why would he instruct us to pray "Let your kingdom come," when he had already come? which contradicts what you just said. Like you say, if they were to pray for the kingdom to come how could it have been all around them. At the same time you infer that some how I was saying, that Jesus was saying, that he was the Kingdom, which I never said. Take a look for your self. There are some who believe that a more accurate translation of Jesus’ words is that “the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Thus Jesus was saying; that he, God’s royal representative, the one anointed by God for the kingship, was in their midst.
That seems to agree better with the context and the way "kingdom of God" is used elsewhere in the Bible.

Then you continue to talk like some where I said that Jesus was the Kingdom or was referring to himself as the Kingdom, which I never said. And if he were referring to himself as the kingdom of heaven, then "Thy kingdom come" could only mean let me be established in the same truth as Jesus, let me be one with him. This is very much possible as he himself promises us - empty yourselves and I shall make you sons of God. In fact the Kingdom of God is alread our deepest essence, for in our core we are already Sons of God. Which is why Jesus prescribed the prayer "Our Father who are in heaven," not "Jesus' father who are in heaven."Once again, I merely said that as God’s royal representative, the one anointed by God for the kingship, Jesus was saying that it was like having the Kingdom standing among them. Just as an ambassador in a foreign country is to represent his country, Jesus was representing God’s Kingdom and could say that the Kingdom was in their midst, even though its establishment was still in the future.

[Bhaskar]

Sorry if I misunderstood you.

[OlderWaterBrother]

Sorry if I misunderstood you.Not a problem, I do it myself all too often.

May you never thirst,
OWB

[BlackBillBlake]

This is the very reason it will never occur.

Enlightened beings capable of this kind of compassion are not interested in earthly life or living on a planet full of like minded people. This world is unreal to them. A dream.

They help people to escape this realm, not make them more comfortable within it.



x

Some of them might actually work to transform this world into something better - a new creation?

Personally I reject the idea that our one good lies in escape from manifest existence. It is ultimately a nihilistic idea.

[Bhaskar]

It is not in escape from manifest existence, but in seeing manifest existence as a manifestation of the divine. And therefore in perfect order. And thus transcending the all the drama of life.

[BlackBillBlake]

It is not in escape from manifest existence, but in seeing manifest existence as a manifestation of the divine. And therefore in perfect order. And thus transcending the all the drama of life.

OK but xexon said

Enlightened beings capable of this kind of compassion are not interested in earthly life or living on a planet full of like minded people. This world is unreal to them. A dream.

They help people to escape this realm, not make them more comfortable within it.



It was this to which I was responding - 'escape this realm' you must admit does sound a bit suspect - to me anyway.