Notice that the Church continues to be kept distinct from other perfected believers, even in the heavenly Jerusalem of the eternal future. But it is a larger sphere than the Church, because it includes believers of all time - not just believers of the Church Age (the time frame since Pentecost). Like the first sphere, the family includes only true believers as sons of God. All believers in Jesus Christ as Savior are members of the body and saints in the one true Church, because all believers have been declared righteous before God (Romans 3:22 1 Corinthians 5:21).Ģ. The Church is the worldwide body of Christ. The inner sphere as the sphere of the Church. Obviously there is some overlap of these three spheres, but they are not synonymous, and we should keep them distinct from one another, as they are distinguished in Scripture.įor purposes of this talk, think of three concentric spheres:ġ. We become servants in the kingdom of God (John 8:36 Colossians 1:13). We become saints in the Church of God (Philippians 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:2 & 14:33). We become sons in the family of God (John 1:11-12). When we become believers and are born again, we enter three new spheres of life.
The Spheres of Church, Kingdom and Family
The prisoners of war at Guantanamo Bay are not in or part of the “kingdom” of the United States, but the whole operation is within the rule and sovereign control of the United States. The following illustration should be helpful. They are within the kingdom boundaries, but they are not in the kingdom. The sovereign rule of God has been - and will be - from eternity to eternity.Īlthough the evil domain of Satan exists at the present time within the boundaries of God’s sovereign rule, it is not part of the kingdom of God, and its subjects are not citizens of the kingdom of God. And forever “every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). In the end, Satan’s domain and all those who are in it will be eternally consigned to hell, a destination that was prepared specifically for Satan and his evil angels (Matthew 25:41). In addition, God is glorified as Satan is foiled again and again in his futile attempts to take over God’s kingdom. Why? Because in the overall plans and purposes of God, there is eternal reward for faithful believers who are victorious in spiritual warfare. The evil domain of darkness is permitted to exist at the present time within the boundaries of God’s sovereign rule. Within its bounds are included all beings and all things and all times in the universe from eternity to eternity - because everything has always been - and always will be - under the sovereign rule and control of God.Įven the domain of Satan is not outside the limits of God’s rule. In its widest sense, the kingdom of God can be defined simply as “the realm where God rules.” God’s sovereign rule is universal in scope. The apostle Paul referred to the kingdom of God in its overall aspect when he wrote, “for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). In 1 Thessalonians 2:12 teaches us to “live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.” Making the kingdom of God a priority in our lives is not easy or automatic: “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The Lord Jesus asked us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). And the Bible certainly does refer to the kingdom of God in this general sense when it presents its overall aspect. We want the kingdom of God to come in a general sense - for peace and godliness to prevail on earth, rather than selfish indulgence, violence and war. When we repeat the phrase, “Thy kingdom come,” most likely we’re thinking of God’s kingdom in a general sense, but not of the specific context in which the Lord gave this model for prayer.
#THY KINGDOM COME THY WILL BE DONE FULL#
It involves extensive study to appreciate the full scope of this important topic, as well as to understand the specific context of the request, “Thy kingdom come.” The subject of the kingdom of God is a major topic in the Bible. How many times have we prayed this model prayer, given by our Lord to his disciples? And how many times have we repeated the words, but given very little thought to the meaning? And - do we really understand what we are asking for when we repeat “Thy kingdom come”? Matthew 6:9-10 - “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Devotions for Growing Christians Thy Kingdom Come
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