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NASB | Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 6:33 "But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right--the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. |
Bible Question: The phrase "kingdom of God" is used more than 70 times in the New Testament. What does it mean? Has it more than one meaning? -Hank |
Bible Answer: Now THIS is an excellent question, Hank! The Kingdom of God includes Heaven, for that is where God's will is done. However, it would seem from Scripture that there is more to it than just the eternal paradise waiting for those who are being saved. For example, it seems that the Jewish mindset of the day thought that the Kingdom of God would be a socio-political one, perhaps the monarchy to be re-established by the Messiah in Israel. For example, even the eleven asked Jesus if he was going to establish the kingdom at that time (Acts 1). In Luke 17, however, Jesus tells the Pharisees that the kingdom of God is already "in their midst." On the other hand, he tells his disciples to pray "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10). Dallas Willard, in his acclaimed book, _The Divine Conspiracy_ (a challenging read but a highly-recommended one), contends that this verse of the Lord's Prayer has a great deal to do with the idea of the kingdom of God. Willard says "...Gods' own 'kingdom' or 'rule' is the range of his effective will, where what he wants done is done." Obviously Willard considers the "kingdom of God " to have only one meaning, where it finds its truest expression in Heaven right now (and where it has always existed). However, the Kingdom also is likened to a mustard seed in Mark 4. It would seem that the Kindgom, from all the verses I reviewed in trying to address this fascinating question, is a kingdom with two aspects, one which eternally exists in glory, and one which is being established here in the church invisible, by those who are following Gods' will and being used as instruments for his glory. This question certainly does beg for much deeper examination than I have given it so far in this post; what do you think? --Joe! |