The Kingdom of God

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

 

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.

 

Not from what I said, anyway.

 

I meant the "in your midst" part OWB

 

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?

 

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

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Thanx, just wondering.

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:

and I agree that I only have one viewpoint but then you say that:

then with your next statement you say:

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.

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.

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.

 

Sorry if I misunderstood you.

 

Not a problem, I do it myself all too often.

May you never thirst,
OWB

 

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.

 

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

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

 

And i was agreeing with you.