All Things

The Spirit of God was on the earth, and with Him was God's spiritual kingdom.  Adam and Eve possessed the fullness of God's kingdom within them through the Holy Spirit.  With the fullness of God's kingdom manifested within them, they could not get sick or die.  After an encounter with Satan, Adam and Eve were persuaded to disobey God in an effort to become as powerful as God is (to be like God).  As a consequence of their fall in the garden, God removed mankind's free access to the Holy Spirit (and His spiritual kingdom) from the earth and now mankind would be born into Satan's spiritual kingdom of the world/flesh/darkness from birth...

And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed (in the kingdom of the) flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

- Genesis 6:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan had tricked Adam and took his inheritance, the title deed to the earth.  Satan became the god of this world (for now).  The bible refers to him has the god of this age in 2 Corinthians 4:4.  Mankind would now be born into spiritual citizenship of Satan's kingdom and have Satan as their spiritual "father" (John 8:44).  Mankind had fallen.

God wanted to create a way for man to restore right standing with Him.  God chose the Jewish people to establish His covenant unto righteousness based on one's own works of His Law.  This first covenant was established between God and the Jewish people alone.

Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.

- Deuteronomy 6:25 New King James Version (NKJV)

By the Law, man now had the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20) and condemnation because of it (Romans 2:17 AMP, 2 Corinthians 3:9 AMP, Galatians 3:10 AMP).  Therefore, as an effect of the Law, man is condemned by his sin and faces sin's penalty (Romans 6:23) and God's wrath upon him (Romans 4:15).

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

- James 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

No one was successful in keeping the Law perfectly; because when you fail at any point, you are guilty at all points (James 2:10); and once you have sinned just once, you are condemned to sin's penalty (Romans 8:3 AMP).  This path to righteousness didn't afford anyone right standing with God (righteousness) (Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:11).

So in that Deuteronomy 6:25 proclaims that keeping God's Law would be righteousness to us, Isaiah 64:6 explains that all of theses efforts to keep the Law to earn our own righteousness are in vain: "all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags."

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life [which it represents].

 - Leviticus 17:11 Amplified Bible AMP

Therefore, the Jewish people would sacrifice unblemished animals as their sinner's substitute, to account for their sins.  This act was only temporary and incomplete because the blood of animals was insufficient to atone for their sins permanently and completely, but it was their only option.

For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
- Hebrews 10:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Sacrificing a man (born into Satan's spiritual kingdom) as a blood sacrifice could not satisfy the requirements to atone for sin either, for the blood would be already tainted with sin and not holy (meaning not separated from Satan's spiritual kingdom and rooted in God's spiritual kingdom alone), therefore it could not qualify as a sinner's substitute to wash away and cleanse the sin's of others.

Man is born under God's Law and therefore separated from God due to his sin... sin that he could not atone for and was condemned for under God's Law.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God;  And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

- Isaiah 59:2 New King James Version (NKJV)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

- Romans 3:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

If we say that we have not sinned [refusing to admit acts of sin], we make Him [out to be] a liar [by contradicting Him] and His word is not in us.

- 1 John 1:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

At this point in time, before Jesus was glorified (John 7:39), mankind's access to God's spiritual kingdom was not yet available to him through the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) and man could not save himself (falling short from perfect obedience of God's Law).  Man needed to be saved.  Man needed a savior.

God promised that He would send a Messiah to save His people and established His kingdom on earth.  Jesus would fulfill every prophecy of the Messiah (over 100) from the old testament.  The majority of the Jewish people did not accept Him as their Messiah because they looked for a Messiah who would establish a physical kingdom on earth and save them from the Roman occupation; but what Jesus brought with Him was the restoration of His spiritual kingdom to the earth to save all people from their sins and condemnation.

The Jewish people were focused on physical things, where as Jesus brought spiritual things.  Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:12,  "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).  He revealed that He had "Come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10), as a hidden reference to His planned restoration of mankind's access to God's spiritual kingdom on earth though the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus would give to those who believed in Him once He had been glorified (John 7:39).

"The law and the prophets were until John.  Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it."

- Luke 16:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

What happened with John the Baptist that established a dividing point in time?  A time separating the Law and the prophets from a time where the kingdom of God was being pressed into?  The moment that John baptized Jesus in the Jordan river.

This was the dividing point in time.  Before this time, the Law of God was the only way given to mankind to attempt to gain right standing with Him.  Because of this event, Jesus was filled fully with the Holy Spirit (and the fullness of God's spiritual kingdom) and a new way for man to receive righteousness entered into the world (the righteousness of God through faith, once Jesus had been glorified).  The government (God's kingdom) prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 "the government will be upon His shoulder" descended unto and was upon Jesus' shoulder.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.  And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

- Matthew 3:13-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

This event was so crucial and essential to God's plan to restore access to His spiritual kingdom and righteousness (the righteousness of God) to mankind, that it made John the Baptist the greatest prophet from God's perspective.  But even as great as God viewed John the Baptist, all those who would later be carriers of the Holy Spirit through their faith in Jesus (and therefore have citizenship in God's spiritual kingdom) would be considered even greater than John, according to Jesus.

"For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

- Luke 7:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

From this point forward, Jesus possessed and was led by the Holy Spirit within Him, with the power, authority and glory of God's kingdom manifested in Him by the Holy Spirit.

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

- Luke 4:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, and then when He returned from the wilderness, He began to preach His gospel of the kingdom of God and its power.

Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.  And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 

- Luke 4:14-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

Suddenly, Satan's spiritual kingdom of the world had an adversary in it's midst, an opposing spiritual kingdom: God's.  Once access to Jesus' spiritual kingdom would be restored to mankind, man would have violent opposition from the enemy (of darkness) trying to prevent him from walking in this Light (of God's kingdom).

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].

- Matthew 11:12 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Immediately upon His return from the wilderness (being full of the Holy Spirit and led by Him), Jesus began His ministry preaching the gospel of His spiritual kingdom.  The gospel of the kingdom was the only gospel Jesus ever preached.

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

- Mark 1:14-15 New King James Version (NKJV) 

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

- Matthew 4:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

The only gospel Jesus preached was the gospel of His kingdom and He instructed His disciples to do the same.  In fact, Jesus declared that the preaching of His gospel of the kingdom was a purpose for which He was sent to earth.

But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."

- Luke 4:43 New King James Version (NKJV)

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

- Matthew 4:23 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

- Matthew 9:35 New King James Version (NKJV)

"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"

-  Matthew 10:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

The kingdom of God is the concentrated presence of the Holy Spirit and His atmosphere.  You receive the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus.  By possessing the Holy Spirit, you have God's spiritual kingdom manifested within you as well.  The moment that you receive the Holy Spirit, you have your old citizenship in Satan's spiritual kingdom made void and you become a new creation in Christ, gaining new citizenship in God's spiritual kingdom of heaven.  You now have everything that God offers and promises us made available to you.  This is why Jesus tells us to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

For the kingdom of God is... righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

- Romans 14:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

"The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

- Luke 17:20-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus answered him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God."
- John 3:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)

For the kingdom of God is... in power.

- 1 Corinthians 4:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you...
- Acts 1:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

- Luke 12:32 New King James Version (NKJV)

But the saints (believers) of the Most High [God] will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.

- Daniel 7:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

God's plan to fulfill all righteousness was now at hand.  Only the blood of Jesus could satisfy God's decreed requirement for the fulfillment of His Law.  On the cross (an altar) on the feast day of Passover (a fulfillment of God's appointed time), Jesus offered Himself as the sinner's substitute for all of mankind.  

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (worldliness, manner of life), God made you alive together with Christ, having [freely] forgiven us all our sins, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate He has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross. 

- Colossians 2:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Mankind could not fulfill God's Law for themselves, so Jesus died in our place for our sins, fulfilling God's Law on our behalf, removing us from under the curse of the Law and providing to us the righteousness of God (right standing which we receive through possession of the Holy Spirit by our faith in Jesus).

So that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. 

- Philippians 3:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

We have Jesus' fulfillment of the Law applied to us though His blood in the spiritual realm when we walk in spiritual obedience to Him; that is, when we walk in the Light, according to the Spirit.

But if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

- 1 John 1:7 Amplified Bible (AMP) 

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

- Romans 8:1 New King James Version (NKJV)

"I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

- Matthew 16:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

- Luke 19:10 New King James Version (NKJV)

After mankind lost free access to God's spiritual kingdom of heaven (and the righteousness of God that came with it) through possession of the Holy Spirit, Jesus came to restore His kingdom to us.

"He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’"  But He was speaking of the [Holy] Spirit, whom those who believed in Him [as Savior] were to receive afterward. The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor).

- John 7:38-39 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Having been glorified through His death on the cross and resurrection on the third day, Jesus was now able to fulfill all righteousness to mankind by giving us access to His spiritual kingdom through the Holy Spirit.  This would be achieved by God sending the Holy Spirit (in Jesus' name) to live within those who would have faith in Jesus and His Law-fulfilling work on the cross.  Indeed, the just would live by faith!

For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].

-  Colossians 1:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared [in human form as the Man, Jesus Christ],  He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we would be justified [made free of the guilt of sin] by His [compassionate, undeserved] grace, and that we would be [acknowledged as acceptable to Him and] made heirs of eternal life [actually experiencing it] according to our hope (His guarantee).

- Titus 3:4-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

In the Beatitudes, Jesus described what characteristics are possessed by those who are led by the Holy Spirit (and who are thereby rooted in His spiritual kingdom); and some blessings that come along with being full of and led by His Spirit, being a citizen of His kingdom.

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him.  Then He began to teach them, saying, "Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].  Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].  Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.  Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.  Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.  Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.  Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].  Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
- Matthew 5:1-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Lord's prayer is a kingdom prayer.  In other words, it is a prayer to decree the actual effects into your life of being rooted in God's spiritual kingdom.

"Pray, then, in this way:  Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment].  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen."

- Matthew 6:9-13 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The armor of God, referenced in the bible, is a spiritual description of the power, provision and protection that is within the atmosphere of God's spiritual kingdom.  When we walk according to the Spirit and are rooted in God's spiritual kingdom (having nothing in common with Satan's spiritual kingdom), then we experience and walk encased in this "spiritual armor".

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be  empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His  [boundless] might.  Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against  the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.  Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and  stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].  So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart),  and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].  Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.  

- Ephesians 6:10-18  Amplified Bible (AMP)

So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.

- 2 Corinthians 5:20 Amplified Bible AMP

 An ambassador is defined as a diplomatic official of the highest rank,  sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident  representative.  An ambassador is also defined as an authorized  messenger or representative.

There are two spiritual kingdoms currently in existence.

1.  Satan's kingdom of the flesh / of darkness / of the world

2.  God's kingdom of the Spirit / of Light / of Heaven

These two kingdoms oppose each other and are contrary to each other, with God's kingdom having authority and power over Satan's kingdom.

"But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you."

- Matthew 12:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan is currently the god of this age / world (2 Corinthians 4:4).  Physically, we walk in a world prevalent with his spiritual kingdom because men have chosen darkness rather than light (John 3:19).

Jesus said His spiritual kingdom is not of the world (John 18:36). As followers of Jesus, we walk in the world physically but are not of the world spiritually; meaning, we dwell in the midst of one kingdom but belong to another.  We carry God's Spirit within us and have God's kingdom manifested within us (Luke 17:20-21) through the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) within us (1 Corinthians 6:19).

God calls us to walk accordingly, in the Light (His Kingdom), in the Spirit (led by the Holy Spirit).  He has given us access to His authority and power through His Spirit to overcome the world and the enemies of darkness.  We must chose to walk as His representatives... His ambassadors of His spiritual kingdom of Heaven!

Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of  sinful mankind].
- 1 John 4:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)
 

“Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over  all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm  you.”
- Luke 10:19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
 

“I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”
- Matthew 16:19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
 

“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of  the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says  the Lord.
- Isaiah 54:17 Amplified Bible (AMP)
 

So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
- James 4:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)