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Kingdom of God

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The kingdom of God is God's character in the heart of saved people today and the 1,000-year reign of Christ  in the future.

Doctrines about the kingdom of God.

A kingdom  has a king  and the king  puts His character on his kingdom.  In addition, to the notes below, please also see the Reference work called Verses and the Study called Summary about the name / role of king.  In addition, Luke 17:20 gives us the basic definition of the Kingdom of God.

Luke 17:20 says: The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.  Notice first that Jesus  said: the kingdom of God cometh not with observation.  It is not part of this physical reality since our physical senses can not sense it (not with observation).  Next, notice first that Jesus  said: the kingdom of God is within you.  Our soul  and our spirit  are within us  and are what compose the real us.  The kingdom of God  is supposed to change what we are on the inside.  If you are truly saved then you have God's life in you and you are supposed to be learning how to become a son of God  as John 1:12 tells us (But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name).  Yes, people use this verse for soul winning.  However, the true interpretation of it is that: when we are saved, God gives us power,  through the indwelling Holy Spirit,  to become the sons of God  ('to have our existence defined by the character of God').  After we get saved we are to receive 'the character of God' and it is to be in us as part of our personal character.  That is the true definition of the kingdom of God  and the rest of this Study will show that this definition is true for every place that this phrase is found within the Bible.

A lot of people have trouble separating the kingdom of God  from the kingdom of Heaven.  However, the distinction is clear once we consider the true meaning of the words within each phrase.  The word of  is defined as: 'belongs to'.  Thus, the kingdom of Heaven  is the kingdom that belongs to Heaven.  It is all of the beings and things which are in the 'third Heaven', which is 'the home of God'.  It also includes the 1,000-year reign of Christ  because that is when the laws of Heaven will be enforced on this Earth.

At the same time, the kingdom of God  is the kingdom that belongs to God.  Since God  is the King,  and a King  imposes His character upon His Kingdom,  the kingdom that belongs to God  is seen in His character within the lives of His people, especially since the Bible tells us that the kingdom of God  is seen here on Earth and is in the heart of God's people.  (Please see the note for Luke 17:20-21,  where Jesus  literally tells us this fact.)

Once we have this basic definition and the distinction from the main source of confusion, it becomes easier for people to understand the way that other sources of confusion are eliminated.  And, after those considerations, the rest of this Study is, basically, showing every place where the phrase the kingdom of God  is used and show how this basic definition fits within each place where it is used.  Contextual considerations, and some minor applications, will also be presented.

As already mentioned, some people confuse the kingdom of God  with the kingdom of heaven  because they have been taught that the two are the same.  These two kingdoms are different but preachers claim that they are the same because they have been taught the wrong way to interpret their Bible.  That have not been taught that every unique word and every unique phrase, in the Bible, must have a unique meaning because God does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8) and having two Bible words or two doctrinally important Bible phrases wither the same meaning would require God to change.  Now, with that in mind, we can consider the incidents, which are reported in more than one Gospel account, and where the kingdom of God  is used in one Gospel account while the kingdom of Heaven  is used in another Gospel account.  People claim that this shows that they have the same meaning.  However, as explained in the Book Studies on the Gospels, which consider the context, the true doctrine is that certain things affect our spiritual maturity here in this physical reality and those same things also give us everlasting rewards in Heaven.  Therefore, we do not have two different doctrinally significant phrases with the same meaning but we have two different rewards for doing certain things which are important to God.

Often, Matthew uses the phrase kingdom of heaven  while Mark and / or Luke use the phrase kingdom of God  for the same incident or doctrinal teaching.  However, the confusion is cleared up when we consider the basic purpose that each Gospel writer had for writing their Gospel.  Matthew, as a former tax collector, wrote about government and how Jesus fulfilled the Law.  As such, his main concern would be our eternal rewards which we receive as a result of our judgment as servants of God.  Those rewards are kept in Heaven and, therefore, are part of the kingdom of Heaven.  However, Mark, who presents Jesus as the example servant; and Luke, who presents Jesus as a literal physical man; were both more concerned with our following the example of Jesus while we are here in this life.  Thus, they both wrote about the kingdom of God  which we receive in this life.  The parallel accounts, where we see the same incident or teaching with Mark and Luke attaching it to the kingdom of God  and Matthew attaching it to the kingdom of heaven,  shows us that we actually receive two different blessings for doing what we are told to do in those places within the Bible.  We receive God's character here in this life, with the related blessings, and we also receive rewards in eternity.  Thus, there is no conflict, only different perspectives.

Another source of problems is that the kingdom of God  is only found in the New Testament.  Luke 16:16 says: The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.  This was when Jesus  announced that the Old Testament officially ended and the New Testament officially started.  Please notice that Jesus  said: every man presseth into it.  This means that all truly saved have God's life in them, in the form of the indwelling Holy Spirit,  and all saved are expected to mature spiritually by increasing how much God's character is in them.  Those people who claim to be saved and are not learning to have the character of God as their own character are proving that God wasted His salvation on them, it they are truly saved.

Next, Luke 18:29-30 says: And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.  This is one of the clearest promises about our rewards for serving God and accepting God's character here in this physical world.  When God commands us to do something, He also promises rewards for our obedience.  Thus, we are promised a changed character, and the rewards of such, here in this life, and proportional rewards in heaven for how much we let God change us here and now.

Now, there are certain doctrines associated with the kingdom of God  and it is important that God's children learn the truth of these doctrines because devils motivate lying preachers to teach doctrinal error in order to prevent God's people from receiving the blessings that God wants to give them.

For example the parable of the 'Marriage of the King's Son', (Matthew 22:1-14) we read: And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  This parable is about the marriage supper of the lamb  (Revelation 19:9).  There will be saved people in Heaven who will not be allowed to attend the marriage supper of the lamb  nor return with Christ  to rule and reign for 1,000-year because, even though they were saved, they never developed God's character in them and they never brought a spiritual profit to the kingdom of Heaven  while they were in their flesh.  Therefore, there is a Biblical distinction made between the saved people who will, and those saved people who will not, be at the marriage supper of the lamb  and who will return with Christ  to rule and reign for 1,000-year.  The phrase kingdom of God  is used to identify those saved people that this distinction will be true for.  And, devil motivated liars claim that all who profess to be saved will have these things regardless of what they do for God.

Another example is that in Mark 4:11, we have 'Instructions and Warnings about the kingdom of God'.  This reference is part of 'The Parable of the Sower'.  In that parable we are told about four (4) types of ground, which symbolically represent four (4) different classes of people's hearts.  As far as I can remember, every message that I have heard on this section concentrated on the four (4) different classes of people's hearts.  However, this Study is dealing with the kingdom of God  and Jesus  speaks about it between the parable and His explanation of the parable.  There Jesus  specifically said that the saved were given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God  but that the lost were denied that knowledge and understanding.

In that parable, only those who were represented by good ground  produced fruit.  In the 'Parable of the Pounds' and the 'Parable of the Talents', we learn that saved people, who do not produce fruit,  lose even the spiritual gift that they had and end up being 'eternal paupers'.  In Matthew's account of 'the parable of the sower', we read the phrase kingdom of heaven  instead of kingdom of God.  This is not a mistake but is letting us know that we get two different blessings for producing spiritual fruit.  It also lets us know that people who claim to be saved but do not produce spiritual fruit  can expect to receive NO eternal reward in Heaven.

The fruit  of a saved person is: 'new and mature spiritual life', which means leading others to salvation or helping saved people to spiritually mature.  Now people argue if two of the types of ground / heart are saved or not but there is no argument about only one type of ground / heart producing fruit.  That group is the only one called good  and, in other places of the Bible, that is the only group which receives rewards in Heaven.  So, if we wish to receive eternal rewards in Heaven then we must be in this group.  That is: we must be a soul winner and a teacher causing the saved to mature spiritually so that they will also be soul winners.

People can not be a soul winner unless they have some spiritual maturity and are maintaining their personal relationship with God because it is actually God Who works through the life of the saved person and Who wins souls to salvation.  In addition, it is almost impossible for someone to teach someone else how to be a soul winner unless they are one first.  Therefore, our eternal rewards are directly tied to our receiving the character of God and maturing spiritually while we are in this physical life.

One of the things shown in this Study is that we only get the seed  of God's character while we are in this life and it is not fully fulfilled (fully grown) in us until we get to Heaven (1Corinthians 13:10-12).  What we do receive now is the fruit of the Spirit ([Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9] the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance...(and) is in all goodness and righteousness and truth).  The word fruit  means 'new small similar life' and of  means 'belongs to'.  Therefore, the fruit of the Spirit  is 'new Godly life that is from God's Holy Spirit'.  That is what gives us the character of God and produces the kingdom of God  in us.  In addition, it should be obvious that fruit  is supposed to mature.  Untimely fruit, which falls from a tree early, is discarded.  Likewise, people should expect God to discard their life if they refuse to mature spiritually.  No, this does not mean that they lose their salvation but it means that they lose all potential everlasting rewards in heaven.

The phrase kingdom of God  is used 70 times in 69 verses.  All are in the New Testament.  These references are broken into different applications, which are listed below.  The basic definition of this phrase was already given.  It should be obvious that only saved people can receive the kingdom of God.  The Bible gives us further requirements for receiving the kingdom of God  and warnings about rejecting it.  We are also given instructions for allowing it to control our life here in this physical reality and told that the complete fulfillment of the kingdom of God  will not be received until we get to Heaven.  That is: we only receive a small portion of it here but only what we receive here will be fulfilled when we get to Heaven.

Any part of God's character in us that we refuse or fail to obtain in this life will not be ours in eternity.  Also, our eternal rewards are proportional to how much of God's character that we received while we are still in this life.

The fruit of the Spirit  was already mentioned and it was also mentioned that receiving the fruit of the Spirit  increases God's character in us.  How many saved people have very little peace?  How many could use stronger faith?  How many complain when God puts them in circumstances which are intended to grow their faith?  Such complaints limit how much of the kingdom of God  that we receive in this life and also limits our eternal rewards which come from the complete fulfillment when we get to Heaven.

Thus, our main conclusion is that God wants all of His people to receive His character while they are in this life.  The amount of His character that we receive in this life determines the amount of His character that we have for eternity and our position and rewards in His kingdom in eternity.  Those saved people who are most like God will have the greatest positions in His eternal kingdom and those saved people who are least like God will have the lowest positions in eternity.

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Applications of the kingdom of God.

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Verses within this Study.

Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you

This is part of 'The Sermon on the Mount' which is where Jesus tells His followers how to live if they want to be His disciples.  Many sermons have been preached on this section, some of which presented truth, some were all error and many contain much error.  The basic message of this section, within 'The Sermon on the Mount', is that we must trust God completely for our provision if we want to be true disciples of Jesus.  Think about this: Jesus traveled for 3.5years with at least 12 other men and was responsible for their food, shelter and other things.  Yet, when He died, the only things which He owned, in this world, were the clothes on His back.  He is our example of how God will provide for us, and use us to provide for others, if we truly devote our life to the service of God and become a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  This verse, Luke 12:31  and Hebrews 1:8  all tell us that the kingdom of God  includes God's righteousness  and that we should be seeking it in this world rather than the things of this world.

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Matthew 12:28: But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

In Matthew 12:25-28; Mark 3:23-26 and Luke 11:17-26, we have the parable of the 'House Divided Against Self'.  This parable is part of the doctrinal rebuttal by Jesus  to their lie that He did His miracles by the power of Beelzebub.  Many might miss that this is a parable, but Mark tells us that it is.  In addition, this parable is part of the doctrinal rebuttal by Jesus  to their lie that He did His miracles by the power of Beelzebub.  As far as the kingdom of God  is concerned, Jesus  had already started His church by this time in the Gospel accounts.  The members of His church did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit,  yet, but Jesus  was already teaching His true followers how to have the character of God.  The religious leaders could not do miracles like Jesus  did.  They could not match His many evidences that He was a prophet from God.  Therefore, they taught the lie that He used the power of Satan in order to do His miracles.  This verse shows us that having 'God's character in you today and the 1,000-year reign of Christ  in the future', which is a result of having the kingdom of God  in you, shows that you are a true follower of Jesus Christ  during the 'Church Age'.

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Matthew 19:24: And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

This reference is part of the teaching on riches  which is based upon the prior accounts about the rich young ruler who, apparently, choose to go to Hell rather than give up Earthly riches.  The note for this sentence, in the Book Study on Matthew, explains about the phrase: the eye of a needle.  The important point, for this Study, is that the symbolic message is that only God has the power to make it possible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  The Jews were taught that they would go to heaven because they were born Jews and that their position on Earth showed their position in Heaven.  Jesus  was correcting this doctrinal error in this incident.  And, in order for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,  he would have to give up his religious teaching from youth which assured him of an easy life here in the physical reality and a high position in Heaven.

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Matthew 21:31: Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

In this reference, Jesus  is warning the Jewish religious leaders that they would not go into the kingdom of God  because they rejected Him and because they rejected His doctrine.  However, the publicans and the harlots,  who did accept Him as their saviour and did allow His doctrine to change their lives, would go into the kingdom of God.

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Matthew 21:43: Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

This reference is part of the same general doctrinal discussion between Jesus  and the Jewish religious leaders.  As with the prior reference, Jesus  is warning the Jewish religious leaders that they would not go into the kingdom of God  because they rejected Him and because they rejected His doctrine.

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Mark 1:14-15: Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The Gospels are a time of transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament.  Under the New Testament we receive God's indwelling Holy Spirit  which people did not receive under the Old Testament.  However, under both Testaments, God wanted His people to learn to be like Him, which is actually what the kingdom of God  is about.  Jesus  started out offering the 1,000-year reign of Christ,  (that kingdom) but removed the offer when the Jews rejected Him as their King.  In this verse, we see the preaching of Jesus  after they rejected Him as their King.

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Mark 4:11: And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Here we see Jesus  explain that He used parables to deliberately lead lost people and carnal people into doctrinal error while also teaching truth to saved and serving people.  This is the start of the explanation of the 'Parable of the Sower', from Jesus,  and the most popular preaching about this parable is doctrinal error.  The people who truly have God's character in them (the kingdom of God)  understand that God wants all of His children to produce spiritual fruit.  They also understand that there are liars who claim to be saved, but are not.  And, God has disobedient children who do not produce spiritual fruit.  Further, the people who truly have God's character in them (the kingdom of God)  understand that there will be significant differences in the amount and type of judgment that people will receive at the judgment seat of Christ,  and that those differences will be based upon if and how much spiritual fruit a person produces for God.  The saved people who refuse to accept God's character into themselves do not understand this spiritual truth.  They expect to receive 'a mansion next door to Peter' when they probably will be put into outer darkness  and receive tears for more than 1,000-year.

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Mark 4:26: And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

This is part of the explanation of the Parable of the Sower, from Jesus.  The note above explains what is going on in this parable.  In this particular verse, we see that God puts His character (the kingdom of God)  into saved people so that they can produce spiritual fruit.  Saved people who reject God's character do not produce spiritual fruit, as we see in two of the types of ground in this parable.

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Mark 4:30: And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

This is the start of the 'Parable of the Mustard Seed'.  In this parable, Jesus  explains that it starts out as the smallest of seeds but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches.  When we first get saved, we have very little of the character of God (the kingdom of God)  in us.  However, God wants us to let Him grow His character in us until it is the main character trait that people see in us.

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Mark 9:1: And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

In this reference, Jesus  prophesied the experience called 'Transfiguration of Jesus Christ'.  When Jesus Christ  returns to rule and reign this world for 1,000-year, only those saved people who have received the 'Character of God in them' will be allowed to return with Him.  At that time, and at the marriage supper of the lamb.  He will be seen in His glory such as shown at this time.  Again, only those saved people who have received the 'Character of God in them' will be allowed to be part of the marriage supper of the lamb.

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Mark 9:47: And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Basically, we are to be willing to suffer anything required in order to receive the character of God (the kingdom of God)  in us.  Whatever we suffer in this life will be left behind when we go to Heaven.  But, we will our character take with us.  And, the more we are like God, the higher will be our personal position in the society of Heaven.

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Mark 10:14-15: But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Little children believe whatever their parents tell them.  Little children accept whatever their parents give them.  Some things are only learned through experience.  1Corinthians 2:14 says: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  Therefore, we can not understand what results we will have until after we accept the character of God (the kingdom of God)  in us and actually experience the difference.  And, that is why we must accept it as a little child.  We must believe, accept and obey before we learn the difference that God's character will make in us.

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Mark 10:23-25: And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

This reference is part of the teaching on riches  which is based upon the prior accounts about the rich young ruler who, apparently, choose to go to Hell rather than give up Earthly riches.  The note for this sentence, in the Book Study on Matthew, explains about the phrase: the eye of a needle.  The important point, for this Study, is that the symbolic message is that only God has the power to make it possible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.  The Jews were taught that they would go to heaven because they were born Jews and that their position on Earth showed their position in Heaven.  Jesus  was correcting this doctrinal error in this incident.  And, in order for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,  he would have to give up his religious teaching from youth which assured him of an easy life here in the physical reality and a high position in Heaven.

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Mark 12:34: And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.  And no man after that durst ask him any question.

This verse is part of a subsection that goes from Mark 12:28 through Mark 12:34.  The note for this verse, within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, provides contextual considerations and links to where matching passages can be found within the other Gospels.  This passage tells of a lawyer challenging Jesus and asked Him: 'Which is the first commandment of all?'  In His answer, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Deuteronomy 11:1.  As explained in the note within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, the answer from this lawyer was very carefully worded to be EXACTLY the correct wording (discreetly).  However, Jesus  didn't tell him he was correct but told him Thou art not far from the kingdom of God  because the kingdom of God  is not in saying the correct words but in having the correct heart condition.

Mark 14:25: Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

This verse is easy to misinterpret.  The marriage supper of the Lamb  (Revelation 19:9) will be in Heaven but some saved will not be allowed to attend.  Revelation 19:8 says: And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  Romans 3:10 tells us that As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:.  Therefore, we must let Jesus Christ  work through our life in order for Him to give us His righteousness  and allow us to be part of the marriage supper of the Lamb.  Those people who do this also receive the character of God, which is the kingdom of God.  In addition, as is proven in the Study called Relational Study, when the word in  is connected to a role of God, it actually means 'in relationship to'.  Therefore, our verse is telling us that 'Jesus Christ  would drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in  Heaven at the marriage supper of the Lamb  when He will be with ('in relationship to') the saved people who have the character of God (the kingdom of God)'.

Mark 15:43: Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

Joseph of Arimathaea was a disciple who was with the twelve and received God's indwelling Holy Spirit  at Pentecost.  There should be no doubt that God's indwelling Holy Spirit  and gave him the character of God.

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Luke 4:43: And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

Jesus  needed to preach the kingdom of God to other cities  so that more people heard the gospel and had a chance to receive true spiritual life.  In this verse, the kingdom of God  is used for initial salvation and the spiritual growth afterwards through true spiritual sanctification.

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Luke 6:20: And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

This reference is part of Luke's version of the 'Beatitudes'.  In it, Jesus  tells us that people who are poor  in worldly things but rich  in true Biblical faith  will have the kingdom of God.

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Luke 7:28: For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

That is: John the Baptist was the greatest prophet  of the Old Testament.  However, God considers the saved (he that is least in the kingdom of God),  during the 'Church Age' to be greater because the indwelling Holy Spirit causes them to have 'the character of God in them' (the kingdom of God).

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Luke 8:1: And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

Jesus  was preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God  so that more people heard the gospel and had a chance to receive true spiritual life.  In this verse, the kingdom of God  is used for initial salvation and the spiritual growth afterwards through true spiritual sanctification.

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Luke 8:10: And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

People who have God's character in them, because they have matured spiritually, can understand spiritual things in a way that the lost and the carnal can not understand.

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Luke 9:2: And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Jesus  send His disciples to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick  so that more people heard the gospel and had a chance to receive true spiritual life.  In this verse, the kingdom of God  is used for initial salvation and the spiritual growth afterwards through true spiritual sanctification.  However, it is also used to tie the kingdom of God  to the power of God  because the first verse in this chapter, which this verse is added to, says that Jesus  gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.  God works through His children who have His character in ways that he refuses to do for lost or carnal people.

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Luke 9:11: And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Our reference is speaking about when Jesus  and His disciples sought to be alone for a time to morn the death of John the Baptist.  Yet, the selfish people refused to allow them the time.  Jesus  spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing  to show us that salvation of souls is more important than any personal need.  Jesus  preached so that people heard the gospel and had a chance to receive true spiritual life.  In this verse, the kingdom of God  is used for initial salvation and the spiritual growth afterwards through true spiritual sanctification.  However, it is also used to tie the kingdom of God  to the power of God  because we are also told that Jesus  healed them that had need of healing.  God works through His children who have His character in ways that he refuses to do for lost or carnal people.

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Luke 9:27: But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

In this reference, Jesus  prophesied the experience called 'Transfiguration of Jesus Christ'.  When Jesus Christ  returns to rule and reign this world for 1,000-year, only those saved people who have received the 'Character of God in them' will be allowed to return with Him.  At that time, and at the marriage supper of the lamb  He will be seen in His glory such as shown at this time.  Again, only those saved people who have received the 'Character of God in them' will be allowed to be part of the marriage supper of the lamb.

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Luke 9:60: Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

In this reference, Jesus  is telling a would-be disciple that preaching salvation, and the spiritual growth afterwards through true spiritual sanctification, is more important than taking care of the physical needs of family.  There are plenty of lost people to take care of the physical needs.  Only the truly saved, who are obeying the indwelling Holy Spirit  can truly preach the kingdom of God.

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Luke 9:62: And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

In this reference, Jesus  is telling us that these people who claim to keep on backsliding  are not going to be used by God in the work of the kingdom of God  nor will they receive the eternal rewards which are reserved for those saver people who truly are part of the kingdom of God.  Those saved people who are truly are part of the kingdom of God  will demonstrate God's character trait of faithfulness.

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Luke 10:9: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

Jesus  gave the seventy (70) instructions which were similar to the instructions that He gave to the twelve (12) when He sent them out preach the Gospel of the kingdom of God.  In this sentence re read that Jesus  told the seventy to warn anyone who rejected their message that true Biblical salvation is come nigh unto you  and they rejected it.  Therefore, they have no basis for complaining being sent to Hell and the lake of fire.

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Luke 10:11: Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

This reference is a continuation of the reference above.  Please see the note above for the doctrine of this reference.

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Luke 11:20: But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

Here we read that Jesus  warned the religious leaders that His doing miracles was by the power of God and their rejecting His message meant that they were rejecting the kingdom of God.

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Luke 12:31: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

This is part of 'The Sermon on the Mount' which is where Jesus tells His followers how to live if they want to be His disciples.  It is matched with Matthew 6:33.  Many sermons have been preached on this section, some of which presented truth, some were all error and many contain much error.  The basic message of this section, within 'The Sermon on the Mount', is that we must trust God completely for our provision if we want to be true disciples of Jesus.  Think about this: Jesus traveled for 3.5years with at least 12 other men and was responsible for their food, shelter and other things.  Yet, when He died, the only things which He owned, in this world, were the clothes on His back.  He is our example of how God will provide for us, and use us to provide for others, if we truly devote our life to the service of God and become a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  This verse, Luke 12:31  and Hebrews 1:8  all tell us that the kingdom of God  includes God's righteousness  and that we should be seeking it in this world rather than the things of this world.

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Luke 13:18: Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

Jesus  gives two parables after asking this question to instruct the religious people about what the kingdom of God  is truly like.  Just before this reference, in the same chapter, the religious people objected to Jesus  using the power of God to heal because His miracle went against their religious rules.  Even though they did not have the power of God backing their religious traditions, and even though their religious traditions and the Mosaic Law said that a prophet who demonstrated the power of God could correct their religious traditions, they rejected the doctrine of Jesus.  They insisted that people would receive the kingdom of God  by keeping their religious rules.  Jesus  corrected their doctrine in this chapter.

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Luke 13:20: And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

This reference is a continuation of the reference above.  Please see the note above for the doctrine of this reference.

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Luke 13:28-29: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.  And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

This reference is similar to the two references above in that the same doctrine and warning is given to religious Jews which was given to the religious leaders in the prior two references.

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Luke 14:15: And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

In this reference, a lost religious man spoke a truth about the true children of God and, mistakenly, applied it to himself and the religious, but lost, people around him.  Jesus  responded with a parable that taught that all of the religious Jews would not participate in the kingdom of God  while the Gentiles, whom the Jews despised for religious reasons, would receive the kingdom of God.

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Luke 16:16: The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

This reference tells us when Jesus  started the church.  The phrase: the kingdom of God  is used for is used for initial salvation and the spiritual growth afterwards through true spiritual sanctification in our current Bible reference.

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Luke 17:20-21: And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

This reference clearly tells us that the kingdom of God  is within us.  This makes it part of our inward person, which is why it is defined as 'God's character in us'.  The Pharisees were looking for the 1,000 year reign of Christ  on this physical world and were demanding that Jesus  tell them when that would happen.  They did so because they expected that their personal religious positions would make them high rulers within the 1,000 year reign of Christ  on this physical world.  They saw no conflict in demanding that Jesus  tell them this even while rejecting His place in the same kingdom.  In this reference, Jesus  corrects their doctrinal error which comes from a wrong definition of the kingdom of God.  This verse gives us the definition of the kingdom of God  and tells us that it is 'God's character in us'.

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Luke 18:16-17: But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

This reference tells us that we are to receive the kingdom of God  with the simple faith of a child.  Just as a child believes everything that their parents tell the, so also are we to believe everything that God tells us through His word.

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Luke 18:24-25: And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

This is part of a passage within Luke 18:18-25 and starts with And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?.  There are parallel passages in the other Gospels.  Basically, the religious man has the wrong idea about what the kingdom of God  is and how to obtain it.  The religious man looks at the blessings and thinks that if he does the right things he can earn those blessings.  However, an outsider can not earn the love that a parent gives to their own child.  Likewise, the lost religious person can not earn the love that God gives to His obedient child.  Basically, Jesus told him to give up everything that he was trusting in this world and come, follow me  in order for him to become an obedient child of God.  However, like most religious people, he wasn't willing to do that.

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Luke 18:29: And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

In this reference, Jesus  is telling us the everlasting rewards that saved people will receive if they truly put their service for the kingdom of God  before everything else in this world.

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Luke 19:11: And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

This reference is just before the 'Parable of the Ten Pounds'.  They were on their way to Jerusalem, where Jesus  would be crucified and were still in denial of His death and resurrection, even though He had prophesied those events several times.  In addition, they thought he would start the 1,000 year reign of Christ  very soon and that they would be ruling this world without suffering and without physical death.  Therefore, Jesus  gave them this parable to instruct them, and us, on how we will earn our place within the kingdom of Christ.

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Luke 21:31: So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

This reference is part of prophecy that is for Jews only who live through the great tribulation.  This reference is telling them signs which show that the return of Christ  will be soon.

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Luke 22:16: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

This reference is part of the 'Last Supper'.  Here, Jesus  is saying that after that meal, He will not eat a full meal again until the marriage supper of the lamb  in Heaven.

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Luke 22:18: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

This reference is part of the 'Last Supper'.  Here, Jesus  is saying that after that meal, He will drink of the fruit of the vine  again until the marriage supper of the lamb  in Heaven.

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Luke 23:51: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

This reference tell us that this man was waiting for the indwelling Holy Spirit  and the 1,000-year reign of Christ.

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John 3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

This reference very clearly tells us that true Biblical salvation (be born of...the Spirit)  is the first step to entering into the kingdom of God  Lost people will be sent to Hell when Jesus Christ  returns to rule and reign.  Therefore, lost people will not even see the kingdom of God.

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John 3:5: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

This reference very clearly tells us that true Biblical salvation (be born of...the Spirit)  is required to even see the kingdom of God.

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Acts 1:3: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

This is part of the first sentence in the book of Acts and tells the reader what Jesus  was doing during the forty days between His resurrection and His ascension.  He was teaching His disciples how to be like God and how to truly represent the kingdom of God  to other people.  This was His training before sending them God's Holy Ghost.

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Acts 8:12: But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Our sentence tells us that the people of Samaria believed the preaching of Philip concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ.  As a result, they were baptized.  They accepted that they had to have a God caused change in their life.  The context tells us that there was a devil-motivated man who was doing miracles and teaching doctrinal error which opposed the true Gospel.  And, the only true Biblical way to separate people preaching the true Gospel from those who preach doctrinal error is by their spirit.  That is, do they have a spirit  which matches Jesus Christ.  And, since God wants all saved to do the 'Great Commission', and preach the Gospel, God has to change the spirit,  of the truly saved, to match that of Jesus Christ.  That is what having the kingdom of God,  in this life, is all about.  God truly changes the saved so that they have the required credentials to truly preach the Gospel.  And, this is in contrast to the character of a devil motivated liar, which our context tells us about.

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Acts 14:22: Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Paul said this on his first missionary trip with Barnabas.  They had been driven out of almost every city where they preached by unbelieving religious Jews.  Those Jews had also started riots in more than one city and chased them from city to city.  Finally, in the second last city where they preached, they had Paul stoned to death and his body left on the city trash heap outside of the city.  Yet, throughout it all, Paul did several miracles as witness that they spoke for the true God.  (Please see New Testament Significant Events Study for links to the reports of these miracles.)  And, the mission team established churches in several cities.  Saved people what to enter into the kingdom of God  for the blessings.  However, as preached here, in order to do so they must continue in the faith  and be willing to suffer much tribulation.
John Mark was with them at the start of their mission trip.  He went home early because he was not willing to suffer much tribulation,  in spite of being saved.  He did not see the miracles nor did God use him to do miracles.  He did not get credit, in Heaven, for helping to start those first missionary churches.  He was saved and had the opportunity, but did not enter into the kingdom of God  and receive the blessings.  Thus, we have examples of saved people who did enter into the kingdom of God  and receive the blessings.  And, we also have an example of a saved person who did not because he was not willing to suffer much tribulation.

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Acts 19:8: And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

In this verse, we are told that Paul was disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.  Paul did this in the synagogue,  which means that he was talking with Jews who were sure that they knew and understood scripture.  However, as we read throughout all of the epistles of Paul and throughout all of the Gospels, the Jews were positive that they were going to heaven and receiving all of the blessings that God promises simply because they were born Jews.  However, as we see throughout all of this study, the true meaning of the kingdom of God  is" 'God's character in you'.  But the Jews were positive that they did not have to accept a God-caused change in their life because of the doctrinal errors taught to them from when they were babies.  Therefore, Paul was truly trying to get them to see that their religious traditions were wrong and trying to get them to accept the truth that is found in the word of God.

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Acts 20:25: And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

.  This sentence is part of Paul's testimony to the elders of the church at Ephesus.  He called them to go where he was because he had limited time to fellowship with the people at that church.  In his testimony, Paul definitely spoke about his personally changed life due to 'God's character in him'.  His testimony was about how he preached, taught and lived an example of this changed life.  His testimony is a true detailed example of the definition of the kingdom of God.

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Acts 28:23: And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Imagine someone, today, preaching from morning till evening.  Here, we see that Paul used the scripture which they knew (both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophet)  so he was not telling them to believe him but to believe God.  And, like all true preaching, And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.  Now. in addition to preaching from scripture, Paul preached about God changing people (kingdom of God)  to be holy and righteous like God, through their personal ongoing relationship with Jesus.  Those Jews who believed not  refuse true salvation because they believed their religious traditions which promised them salvation simply because they were born Jews.

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Acts 28:31: Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

This is the last sentence in Acts.  Here we read what Paul did with his life from the time that he was freed by Rome until he was arrested again and beheaded.  This is what Paul dedicated his life to doing and we are supposed to follow his example.

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Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Here we see another part of the definition of the kingdom of God.  As explained in the note for this sentence, within the Book Study on Romans, the kingdom of God  is the spiritual laws and controls that God puts within all saved people so that He can bless them in this life and so that He can work through their life.  These internal spiritual laws urge saved people to act like God and result in blessings, like receiving the peace of God  and righteousness  and joy  when God's people obey God's internal laws.  Thus, part of the definition, for the kingdom of God,  is defining the blessings which must come to people who truly have it.  Therefore, saved people whose lives do not display the peace of God  and righteousness  and joy,  do not truly have the kingdom of God  even though they are saved.

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1Corinthians 4:20: For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

In this section Paul is warning the people who are teaching doctrinal error in this church.  Paul started his warning in 1Corinthians 4:18 and continues it through the end of this chapter.  There were preachers there who were eloquent speakers who derided Paul because they claimed that his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible  (2Corinthians 10:10).  However, in this section, of 1Corinthians, Paul is warning that true power  comes from God and the evidence of having it is not in physical things, like eloquent speech, but is in the evidence that the person truly has the kingdom of God  and all of the results of it.  Here we see a warning for people to not claim to have the kingdom of God,  if they don't truly have it, and to not challenge the godly authority of those people who truly do have the kingdom of God.

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1Corinthians 6:9-10: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

This sentence, and Galatians 5:21, list several lifestyle sins which will keep us from inheriting the kingdom of God.

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1Corinthians 15:50: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

1Corinthians 15:35 through 1Corinthians 15:55 explain the salvation and resurrection of our body.  We are a triune being with a body, a soul and a spirit.  As explained back in 15:23, our 'spirit salvation' happened (Ephesians 2:6) at the time that we received the gospel.  and our 'soul salvation' (mind, will and emotions) happens now as we maintain our ongoing relationship with the Son of God that is in Christ.  As this section (of 1Corinthians 15) explains, our 'body salvation' won't happen until we get our receive our new body.  Therefore, the kingdom of God  is not something which we receive physically but does affect how we live in this physical world since it is part of our 'soul salvation' (mind, will and emotions).

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Galatians 5:21: Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

This sentence, and 1Corinthians 6:9-10, list several lifestyle sins which will keep us from inheriting the kingdom of God.  Ephesians 5:5  gives an even shorter list of similar sins.  Our current sentence includes and such like,  which literally tells us that there are other, similar, lifestyle since which are not mentioned within these lists.

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Colossians 4:11: And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

This sentence tells us that if we truly have the kingdom of God  then we will be a comfort  to God's preachers and workers.

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2Thessalonians 1:5: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

This is part of a much larger sentence which is in 2Thessalonians 1:3-10 and which starts with We are bound to thank God always for you.  When we truly have the kingdom of God  that God's preachers and workers will thank God for us and for the ministry which we do.

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Revelation 12:10: And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Here we see the fulfillment of 1Corinthians 15:52.  Part of the change, which God will make to all saved when He gives them a new body, is to put His character (the kingdom of God)  within everyone before they are made part of the kingdom of Christ.  Remember, there will be no sin, and no temptation to sin, at that time.  However, since our basic nature is sinful, God has to remove that part of our character, and replace it with His character (the kingdom of God),  or people will still sin because that is their basic nature.  Please use the link and see the note for this verse, within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, for more details and for contextual considerations.

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