Eric W. King ~ TSW, "The Shepherds Way": "The Kingdom Mystery." ~ TSW

Ancient Antiochene

Mysteries

Part Thirty-nine

“The Kingdom Mystery.”

By presbyter Eric William King (September 13^th 2024)

Jesus promised the “coming of God’s Kingdom” and He ushered it in. How? And when? We must understand that ancient Israel had been promised a coming kingdom on this Earth, ruled by a perfect King, Messiah. All the prophets mention or allude to this God King. King David was a type of the final Messiah. Israel kept disobeying God and kept going into and out of pagan captivity all the way up to Jesus Christ. Before Jesus appeared, there is a 400-year gap between the Old and New Testament. God developed a special and protected remnant of His true followers during this time. This group was known as the Essenes.

The Essenes protected Sacred Scripture and the original Davidic bloodline all the way up to Jesus Christ. This restoration of a Paradise Kingdom started all the way back, after Adam and Eve fell into sin. Since then, this whole planet including the spiritual condition of Humanity must be restored. Hence, the coming of the perfect man and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

When Jesus the Messiah appeared, Israel thought that He would set up His kingdom right away, but He did not. They did not understand that in order for anybody to properly enter the Kingdom they must be “washed clean” both “inside and out” of all sin. Then they must receive a completely new body, one that can never sin again. They did not understand the atonement that Jesus must give first. They didn’t understand that He must die.

After His death and resurrection, all those who accept His atonement can inherit the Kingdom. Jesus, in the meantime, would build His Church, so that He could call all people into the Kingdom before He finally sets it up at the Second Coming. We live in a special dispensation. The Christian Church is the Kingdom in Mystery. We are that Kingdom and ambassadors of that Kingdom. The Christian Church is a spiritual organism, the “body of Christ” on Earth. Chosen before the “foundation of the Earth.” (Ephesians 1:4) Jesus spoke about this “Kingdom mystery” in His parables.

The spiritual aspects of God’s Kingdom “cometh not with observation” (Luke 17:20-21). This reality comes at the “New Birth”. When one becomes a true disciple he or she is “born again” by the Spirit of God – and hence becomes a Kingdom Child. One time some Pharisees confronted Jesus regarding the coming of God’s Kingdom. “When would it come?”, they asked. Jesus responded: “The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within in you.” (Luke 17:21)

In this passage where Jesus states, “the kingdom of God is within you” it can also read properly in the Greek, “the kingdom of God is amongst you”. This means that Jesus was offering them the Kingdom, He being the King of that Kingdom standing in their midst. We must understand that Israel rejected their True King – they crucified Him. Jesus was making a legitimate offer. Jesus is also teaching a deeper meaning of the Kingdom to those who did (do) accept Him and that was the fact that they could begin to experience the Kingdom of God (Paradise) even now, within their pneuma (spirit). There will still be a literal coming Kingdom which starts with the “New Earth” in the Millennial Kingdom (the Seventh Dispensation) but the Kingdom message goes much deeper.

Now the true saints of God, in this Church Dispensation, can see and experience the Kingdom of God in the assembly of Born-Again Children and even when alone on walks or sitting at home. Being around family, friends, and our pets. When we see God’s goodness operative in this Fallen World, we see flashes of the Kingdom shine bright. In good memories, while working in the garden – we see the beautiful Kingdom of God. It starts with a boiling within the soul.

A mature Christian learns to remain in this mind state – most of the time. Christian meditation along with prayer and proclaiming affirmations helps focus.

The true Church is not a building. The true Church is not its outward organization, though these things are important for its order. Bishops, Pastors, Teachers, Healers may all be a part of God’s “body on Earth” but the true Church starts with one’s own relationship with God and the understanding of His word. It also includes one’s relationship with others, both believers and non-believers. Through the Holy Sacraments we receive the cement of our membership in God’s Kingdom. Through the understanding of God’s word, we replace our fallen will with the will of God. The Holy Spirit becomes our ultimate guide and teacher. We gain the realization of being true Kingdom members.

The true Church is “catholic” which simply means universal. It is found all over this planet. True saints can recognize other saints through the Spirit of God. The true Church is “orthodox” in its thinking – orthodox meaning “straight thought”. Our minds are centered on the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells us that in all we do “seek ye first the Kingdom of God”. (Matthew 6:33) And Jesus says; “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

Oh, how I love thy Kingdom oh LORD.

This is most certainly true.

Eric William King (September 13^th 2024)