The Kingdom of Heaven
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Send by emailTHE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
I. CONCEPTS OF THE KINGDOM
1. The Jewish religion embraced many and confusing concepts of the kingdom of Heaven. (1858.3) 170:1.1
2. Though Jesus presented varying aspects of the kingdom, his last word always was: "The kingdom is within you." (1859.5) 170:1.13
3. Jesus presented five cardinal features of the gospel of the kingdom.
- Pre-eminence of the individual.
- Will as determining factor.
- Sonship with God the Father.
- The loving service of men.
- Transcendency of the spiritual over the material. (1863.6) 170:4.8
4. The gospel of the kingdom is the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. (2052.4) 193:0.4
II. THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN
1. Brotherhood means that the part profits or suffers in measure with the whole. (138.6) 12:7.11
2. Always must God first find man that man may later find God. (1299.3) 118:5.3
3. Said Jesus: "I send you forth, not to love the souls of men, but rather to love men." (2043.1) 191:5.3
4. The Jews exalted goodness, the Greeks beauty, the Hindus devotion. The ascetics taught reverence, the Romans demanded loyalty. But Jesus required life-loving service for our brothers in the flesh. (2043.1) 191:5.3
III. THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM
1. The keys of the kingdom are sincerity-and more sincerity. (435.7) 39:4.14
2. Jesus taught two essentials for entering the kingdom-sincere faith and truth hunger. (1861.2) 170:2.20
BIBLE REFERENCES
IV. THE NEW AND LIVING WAY
1. Jesus established the new and living way-he was the truth that makes men free. (596.1) 52:5.4
2. This new way means that mortals may again proceed directly to the mansion worlds after death. (596.2) 52:5.5
3. There are two ways of choosing the Father's will:
- Negative-not my will but yours.
- Positive-I will that yours be done. (1221.7) 111:5.6
V. THE RELIGION OF JESUS
1. The religion of Jesus provides final salvation-the seven essentials:
- Salvation from material bondage.
- Salvation from mind bondage.
- Salvation from spiritual blindness.
- Salvation from incompleteness of self.
- Salvation even from self.
- Salvation from time.
- Salvation from the finite. (1112.4) 101:6.8
2. Jesus warned his followers about the danger of changing the gospel into a religion about him. (1543.1) 138:6.3
3. Jesus' new commandment was: Love one another as I have loved you. (1944.4) 180:1.1
VI. SIX PHASES OF THE KINGDOM IN THE BIBLE
1. Personal experience. The kingdom of heaven is within you. Luke 17:21.
2. Social aspects of the kingdom. Preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matt 10:7.
3. The superhuman brotherhood. I will not drink of the cup until I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Matt 26:29.
4. The next age of man. It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32.
5. The age of light and life. Your kingdom come, your will be done. Luke 11:2.
6. Sovereignty of Michael. Remember me when you come into your kingdom. Luke 23:42
