Describe what is meant by the phrase: “the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Question:
Describe what is meant by the phrase: “the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Answer:
The topic of the Kingdom of God is a complex and multifaceted one. It is spoken of by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:2 when he says “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” And Jesus continues this preaching when He synonymously proclaims in Mark 1:15 ‘”The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”’. Notice the reference term for the Kingdom of God as “the good news”, which is the Gospel. This central message is carried throughout much of Jesus’ teachings and is arguably the single most paramount element of His public proclamations. The term “kingdom” appears 50 times in Matthew, 14 times in Mark, 39 times in Luke, and 5 times in John – it is definitively central to the Gospel.
Some have presented, the Kingdom as purely religious and purely future state (not present today in any way (Weiss). Some stated that Jesus expected the Kingdom to come during His ministry as it would arrive prior to the twelve returning from their mission and would mark the end of the present age (Schweitzer). However, as time progressed (at the middle of this century), this polarized understanding was blurred. Some began to acknowledge that Jesus made no error but still held that the Kingdom was too grand to miss – that is, it was so majestic that it couldn’t be something that is happening presently. Several …
Are Christians Obligated to Observe the Seventh-day Sabbath Today?
Key verse(s)/quote(s):
“One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.” - Romans 14:5-6
“Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” - Mark 2:27
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” - Colossians 2:16-17
Historical background:
The origins of Seventh-day Adventism can be traced back to the “Great Second Advent Awakening” which took place in the middle of the 19th century. It was a time where the religious climate had reached a heightened focus and sensitivity around the matter of Jesus’ Second Advent was at its pinnacle. At this time, many Bible scholars were primarily studying Daniel and Revelation and deducing prophetical interpretations as to the timing of Jesus’ return. Jesus’ return was calculated to be at a mark of 2,300 years based on Daniel’s 2,300 evenings (Daniel 8:13) and as such many had expected Jesus to return in 1843. One such individual was William Miller (Baptist Minister …
Created in the image of God?
Post Features:
Key verse(s)/quote(s):
“There is no reason to think that a fish suffers less when dying in a net than a fetus suffers during an abortion.” - Peter Singer, Bio-ethicist & Australian Philosopher
“Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” - Genesis 1:26-27
Key takeaway(s):
- The question of our creation in the image of God is a debate about the existence of a Creator (God), the status of human life, our identity, and our value.
- A correct understanding of our origins dictates how we live our life, how we value others, and what we focus upon during our time on earth.
- This debate cannot be reserved to the hallowed halls of academia or journals being spewed by atheistic scientists presenting theories and philosophies unchallenged.
Overview:
What does it mean to be created in God’s image?
It is important to understand and appreciate the significance and implications of being created in God’s image. It is a question of origins, as stated by John Lennox, a noted debater, Bio-ethicist and Oxford Professor (Mathematics and Philosophy of Science). If we do not correctly understand the debate on this topic as really being a debate on the question of if …
Shadow to substance: Jesus in the Old Testament
Key verse(s)/quote(s):
“The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed and the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed” - Anonymous
“The One who hung the earth in space, is Himself hung; the One who fixed the heavens in place is Himself firmly fixed to the tree… Through Whom the Father made the things which exist from the beginning of time.” - Melito (bishop of Sardis, died c. 180)
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2
Key takeaway(s):
- Christ is from everlasting to everlasting as clearly seen in the Old Testament and New Testament
- All fullness of Deity lives in bodily form in Christ (Colossians 2:9)
- All may honour the Son just as they honour the Father (John 5:23)
- This should give you confidence to contend for the faith that you have that is once and for all entrusted to you (Jude 3)
Overview:
This post is part 3 of a 3-part series of messages I had the pleasure of sharing at our 2010 church summer conference. The 2 additional components of this series overview the prophetic significance of both The Tabernacle (click here to read) and The Jewish Feasts (click here to read).
In the beginning was… Jesus. So often we find that the deity of Christ has been challenged and not …
Heaven and Hell - A glimpse into eternity…
Key verse(s)/quote(s):
“The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” - Matthew 13:41-42
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:1-4
Key takeaway(s):
- Christians are born twice (physically & then spiritually) and die once (physically) and non-Christians born once (physically) and die twice (physically & spiritually).
- Soul sleep does not exist in Scripture
- Annihilation does not exist in Scripture
- The word “Hell” isn’t always used to mean the same place or condition
Overview:
A few weeks ago, a sister in Christ (yes, you Yvonne 
) text messaged me during her fellowship study asking about a “middle place” after death and what …
