Christian Writers Circle

Kingdom of God
by Judy Hitson

Mark 4:11 NASB And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables,

“Unsolved Mysteries” was the title of an old television program which comes to mind. Our family enjoyed seeing the mysteries solved week by week.

Looking at the mystery of the kingdom of God, I am no longer perplexed. Since receiving the Holy Spirit I continue to learn the simplicity and depth of this mystery. It is found in the person of Jesus Christ. For clarification, capture the revelation by the Spirit to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God through the following NASB verses:

Ephesians 5:32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Colossians 1:26-27 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself.

Colossians 4:3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

It may seem like a lot to digest but as we keep it simple to think about Jesus Christ, He will make clear to us the mystery of the kingdom of God. Note Jesus is talking to insiders, those who follow Him, who have received the Holy Spirit who gives life. Outsiders cannot understand (Mark 4:11-12).

As we read the Bible on the kingdom of God, we discover it for the present as well as the future.
For example,

Present
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Think about it. When we are born of the Spirit we enter the kingdom of God. Alleluia! What a Savior. Alleluia! What a God. Have you experienced the second birth of the Spirit? If so, you understand this basic truth about the kingdom of God, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:7)

Future
Mark 14:25 Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Consider these words of Jesus to the disciples at the last supper. They couldn’t fully understand His words at that time. But the Holy Spirit came after Jesus left the earth and now we can understand the word of the Lord by the Spirit.

There is more I’d like to say as I recall John 6 when Jesus said we should eat His body and drink His blood. By His Spirit we can. The kingdom of God is all about Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father in heaven help us believe and receive all You have to reveal to us by Your Spirit regarding the mystery of Your kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen.