Lesson 6

Lesson 6

LESSON VI – THE KINGDOM OF GOD

What is the nature and authority of the Kingdom of God?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and
void, and darkness was on the faces of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering
over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the
evening and the morning were the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the
host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had
done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God
blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which
God had created and made. This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they
were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, before any
plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the
Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground,
but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. And the
Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed unto his nostrils the breath
of life, and man became a living being. Genesis 1:31-2:7

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have
dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the
earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ Genesis 1:26

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He
answered them and said, “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 17:21

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven. Matthew 5:10

Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything,
I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take
advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men
will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13

God has dominion over everything. For a time, God has given mankind dominion
authority over the other created beings on the earth; remembering that they all belong
to Him. The kingdom of God is the realm of all physical and spiritual things in which
the will of God is sovereign. The lives of all who accept Jesus Christ come into conflict
with Satan, the temporary ruler of men who are rebellious with God’s rule.

When did this Kingdom begin and when will it end?

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his
sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in
accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has
freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-5

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His
shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He
will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with
justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know
Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received
Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His
name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,
but of God. John 1:10-13

How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
his dominion endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4:3

The kingdom of God and of heaven was in place before any of the creation was made.
Jesus Christ is its ruler: then, now and forever. The kingdom of God is eternal.

What or who is included in this Kingdom?

Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ John 3:3

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for
everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the
righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by
faith.” Romans 1:16-17

Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do
it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? – Just as Abraham “believed God,
and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are
of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scriptures, foreseeing that God would justify the
Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “in you all nations
shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Galatians 3:5-8

For he has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of
the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called
children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He
is. 1 John 3:1-2

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature, to live
according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the
Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led
by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a
slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of son ship. And by him we cry, “Abba,
Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if
we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we
share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:12-17
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly,
I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means
enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only
he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:27

And from the throne proceeded lightning, thundering, and voices. Seven lamps of fire
were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne
there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the
throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living
creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had
a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. The four living
creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not
rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is
to come!’ Revelation 4: 5-8

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the
dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in
heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil
and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were
cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in haven, ‘Now salvation, and
strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the
accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast
down.’ Revelation 12:7-9

Angels that have not rebelled against God, certain other created creatures of which we
know little, and all humans who have ever truly been born again of God’s Spirit are
citizens of the kingdom of God.

Where is the Kingdom of God?

Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ John 18:36

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He
answered them and said, “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

Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What
shall we wear?’ for after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father
knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating
and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:16-17

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that
they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father
knows the things you have heed of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father 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 forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil
one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you
forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do
not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:7-15

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of
the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the
same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish
ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God,
did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,
even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him
the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:1-11

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may
prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

The kingdom of God is everywhere that God’s will is done. Let, therefore, the will of
God be done also in you.

What is my relationship to the Kingdom of God and to this world now?

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Luke 12:32

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world” John 18:36

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the
world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the
world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just
as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not
lose heart. Galatians 6:9

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into
the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be
done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask
when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them. And whenever
you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in
heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your
Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:22-25

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea
driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything
from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:6-8
But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is
brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided
against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by
Beelzebub.’ Luke 11:17-18

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their
word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also
may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which
You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and
You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You
have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:20-23

“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand
one another’s speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all
the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore, its name is called Babel, because
there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered
them abroad over the face of all the earth. Genesis 11:7-9

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those
who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the
contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as
he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he
who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.” Luke 22:25-27

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and
asking something from Him. And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him,
‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the
left, in Your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask.
Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So He said to them, ‘You
will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but
to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it
is prepared by My Father.’ Matthew 20:20-23

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we
implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God, for He made Him who knew no sin
to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:20

Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven. Matthew 18:4

As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands;
there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together
become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.’ Romans 3:10-12

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And
another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged
according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
Revelation 20:12

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:15

In all of creation, even though everything was affected by the Fall of Man, everything
in nature obeys God: all of the galaxies and planets, all of the mountains and the seas,
every living plant, and each of the animals. Indeed, all of creation obeys God - except
rebellious humans! Those humans who are citizens of His kingdom love God, hear
His word, and obey; not always perfectly on this earth; but to love and obey God is
their attitude and intention. Humans who do not acknowledge God as sovereign do
what is right in their own eyes. They are rebellious and disobedient to God. The sum
of these attitudes and intentions, and the people that think and act upon them are
called ‘the kingdom of this world.’ Every person is either of the kingdom of God or of
the kingdom of this world. We are all born in sin, therefore, at conception, we are all
initially citizens of the kingdom of this world. However well you live, if you live as unto
yourself: you are still of the kingdom of this world. Only those who are born again,
imperfect though they may yet be, are children of God and partakers of the kingdom of
God. Whatever kingdom you belong to when your body dies will be your residence for
eternity.

What is different in me now that I am born again?

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me
has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
John 5:24

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who
does not love his brother abides in death. 1 John 3:14

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if
children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with
Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:16-17

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift
of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created for
good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord,
because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the
Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep
My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:27

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts,
crying out,” Abba, Father!” Galatians 4:6

By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because he has given us of His
Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the
world. 1 John 4:13-14

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we
know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh
lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one
another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit,
you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love
of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not
of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides
forever, because All flesh is grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 1
Peter 1:22-24

By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once
for all. Hebrews 10:10

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:14

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, not drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists will
inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you
were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of
our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who
are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to
be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many
brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these
He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am,
there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said
to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’
Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.’ John 14:2-6

In Christ you have passed from judgment to eternal life, been adopted as a child of
God, and become a new creation, yielded to a life of obedience to God. God has placed
His Spirit within you, and has completed your salvation, sanctification, and
glorification, that you may be with Him forever.

How does life in this world differ from life in the Kingdom?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said,
‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will
by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this
little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 18:1-4

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to
the humble.’ James 4:6

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying ‘The scribes and the
Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe
and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind
heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will
not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men.
They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love
the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces,
and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’ for One is
your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your
father; for One is your Father, He who is in haven. And do not be called teachers; for
One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be
exalted. Matthew 23:1-12

For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their
pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak. Psalm 59:12
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse
mouth I hate. Proverb 8:13

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverb 16:18
A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.
Proverb 29:23

How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down
to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will
ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the
mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the
heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14:12-14

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, take up a lamentation
for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God: You were the seal of
perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone was your covering: the Sardis, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx,
and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your
tumbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the
anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God;
you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in you ways
from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your
trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a
profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from
the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you
corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you
before kings, that they might gaze at you. You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude
of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading; therefore I brought fire from your
midst; it devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who
saw you. All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; you have become
a horror, and shall be no more forever.’ Ezekiel 28:11-19

Views of self and others differ.

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written,
‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. ‘Therefore if your enemy is hungry,
feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on
his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who
hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be
sons of your Father in heaven; for he makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and
sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward
have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren
only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore
you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I
forgive him: Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven
times, but up to seventy times seven.’ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain
king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle
accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not
able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that
he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying,
‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant
was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant
went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he
laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his
fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and
I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should
pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very
grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he
had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all the debt because you
begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I
had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he
should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of
you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” Matthew 18:21-35

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing
in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your
room, and when you have shut your door, pray to you Father who is in the secret place;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not
use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for many
words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need
of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father 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 debt, as we forgive our debtors. And do
not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, For Yours is the kingdom
and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:5-15

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you,
whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt
in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he
says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you
receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have
anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you
your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive
your trespasses.” Mark 11:22-26

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the
Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all
and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate
His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were
previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He
might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean,
sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience
from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the
new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first
covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9:13-15

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by
this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our
heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our
heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we
receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are
pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1 John 3:18-23

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we
say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not
in us. 1 John 1:7-9

Views of vengeance, forgiveness, and transgressions differ.

…that is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their
trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:19

The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
John 7:7

And He said to them, ‘You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I
am not of this world. John 8:23

Now if we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that
we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.
Galatians 4:3

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

Beware, lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the
basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and
widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27

They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By
this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:5-6

The world is separated from God, while God is in the midst of His kingdom

For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10
And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The
Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ Job 1:21
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or
what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

…and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing
away. 1Corinthians 7:31

Views of possessions differ

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of
this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22

Cares differ

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of
the Father but is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:15-16

Desires differ

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God
made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1 Corinthians 1:20

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age,
nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 1 Corinthians 2:6

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him
become a fool that he may become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18

Wisdom differs

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

Culture and fashions differ

…whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the
gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
2 Corinthians 4:4

Understanding differs

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave
Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present age, according to the will
of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-4

Relationship with God differs

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 103:19

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age,
nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of
God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8

Rulers differ

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the
nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned
already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:18

Destinies differ
Everything about the world and the kingdom of God is different!