Entrance into the Kingdom of God
Dearly beloved of God, God called us to His kingdom and glory. Jesus Christ made it possible to enter His kingdom by being born again of the spirit from God.
In John 1:32-34, the prophet John foretold that Jesus Christ would baptize with holy spirit, not water as he had done.
In John 3:3, 5-7, Jesus told Nicodemus to see and to enter the kingdom of God one must be born again of the spirit from God.
In John 7:38, 39 informs us that the spirit was not given until Jesus was glorified.
In Mark 9:1 Jesus told those present that some that were standing there shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.
In Luke 22:16-20, at his last supper with the twelve and certain of his disciples, Jesus told them that he would not any more eat or drink until the kingdom of God came. He took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.”
From these records we have a time frame concerning when an entrance into the kingdom of God became available because of Jesus Christ’s accomplishments.
To see and enter the kingdom of God a kingdom first had to be established. To enter it one must be born again of the spirit from God.
The new covenant of the spirit began when Jesus sent the promise of the Father and on the Feast of Pentecost after he was glorified, and there were those of twelve, and the about 120 who were living at that time that saw it come.
The kingdom of God came with power; they were endued with power from on high. When the twelve received the spirit they were born again of the spirit and received power from on high.
Acts 2: 33 informs us that being exalted by the right hand of God and having received of the Father the promise of holy spirit, he[ Jesus Christ] hath shed forth this, which they saw and heard. Jesus Christ sent the promise of the Father.
After Peter explained what had just occurred, about 3,000 Judeans gladly received his word and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received remission of sins, and the gift of holy spirit.
The proof that these people received the holy spirit was that they manifested it by speaking in tongues.
Romans 8: 14-17 reveals that the spirit itself witnesses with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. How wonderful is that?!
God placed us as His sons by being born again of the spirit from God. We are born of incorruptible seed. We are sealed with the holy spirit of promise as a down payment against the full payment of our inheritance as God’s children.
Now all Christians can worship the Father in spirit and truth as He desires according to John 4:24.
Now all Christians have the spiritual ability to do the works that Jesus did, and greater because he has ascended, and God seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realm to make it possible.
In Christ, now all Christians have access to the Father by the spirit.
Now we are of God’s household, and He is building us together as His sanctuary, as His dwelling place by the spirit. Oh rejoice!
Having confidence by the blood of Jesus for the entrance into the holy places, the “naos,” the sanctuary, by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh, let us approach with a true heart in absolute certainty of believing.
Now all Christians can enter the holiest of all, and speak to the Father.
Entrance into the kingdom of God by the birth from above, the new covenant of the spirit, and the proof that we are God’s children, His heirs, and joint heirs with Christ is now a reality.
The kingdom of God has different phases. Today we have entered the kingdom of God by being born again of the spirit from God.
When the Lord Jesus Christ returns for us we will physically enter it, with bodies like Christ’s glorious body that dies no more.
Colossians 1:12-14 NASB
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
By the new birth we were transferred into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, and when he returns, we will physically be transferred into his kingdom. Such grace!
After the gathering together of the Church, and after the Lord Jesus Christ has put down all rule and all authority and power, he will deliver the kingdom to God, and when all things are subdued, the Lord Jesus Christ will be subject unto God his Father who put all things under him so that God may be all in all, according to I Corinthians 15:24-28.
It is easy to understand why this administration of God’s dealing with people is the Administration of the Grace of God. Because of the mystery of God, the Gentiles are fellow heirs with the Judeans, and of the same body with them, and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel.
Rejoice and give God thanks for His great love, grace, and mercy to us in Christ. Welcome to the kingdom, dearly beloved of God.