A little something for consideration. Even if one doesn't have scriptural knowledge there is a historical aspect to this that can be disputed
In the book of Matthew in Chapter 6 we have the Lords or Model Prayer.
This opens 'Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven."
Jesus goes on to speak at length about "The Kingdom" in Chapter 13, so it was clearly a big deal to him.
In the book of Daniel at Chapter 2 we have a vision of successive world powers, the last one of which stands when the kingdom of God destroys this power structure (2:44)
Points of debate.
1) Historically speaking (or scripturally) who were/are the five powers represented by the segments of Nebuchadnezzar's Statue?
2) Did they have a significance on the world stage in their day?
3) Has the last power already arrived/ gone/still to come?
4) Is the Kingdom referred to in Daniel the same one that Jesus spoke of?
What say you good people? Do we have any historians that can crack this nut open?
@medullah saidThe Kingdom of God is spiritual, not political. One is enough, in your case. How many others is not your concern. Nor is it mine.
@moonbus
How many and when by?
When by? Before you die.
The OT prophecies are allegorical signs, not future-historical predictions. Zech. 9:9 did not predict that Jesus would ride into town on a donkey. He was telling people that the sign by which people would recognize that their messiah had arrived would be that he would come in humility, and not, for example, in a golden chariot pulled by white stallions (like a Roman governor or a Persian potentate). Jesus, of course, knew of this prophecy and knew that the residents of Jerusalem also knew of it, that is why he made the prophecy 'come true', by instructing his disciples to go into town ahead of him to secure an unridden colt, that his people would recognize the sign and know that their messiah had arrived.
@moonbus saidAll of these interpretations regarding the Kingdom of God would be correct.
The Kingdom of God is spiritual, not political. One is enough, in your case. How many others is not your concern. Nor is it mine.
When by? Before you die.
The OT prophecies are allegorical signs, not future-historical predictions. Zech. 9:9 did not predict that Jesus would ride into town on a donkey. He was telling people that the [i]sign[/i ...[text shortened]... an unridden colt, that his people would recognize the sign and know that their messiah had arrived.
- Like a mustard tree - starts with a small seed and spread into a big tree
- The Kingdom is within you [you said this one]
- Jesus will return, like lightening, and all will see him
- Many signs of the times - various kingdoms, wars etc
- Signs in Israel -return of the Jews to Palestine, Jesus will stand on Mt Olives
- Righteous will be caught up in the air to meet Christ
- Saints will rule with Christ in the 1,000 yr reign
- Armageddon and nations coming to destroy Israel
Lots of stuff and prophecies.
All are compatible, and its not one or the other.
@medullah saidCertainly the Roman governor, Pilate, was concerned that any so-called King of the Jews, even if understood in a purely spiritual sense, would or might conceivably have political consequences amounting to sedition. Pilate was particularly keen to nip in the bud any Jewish revolt in his province.
@moonbus
The very fact that it crushes and destroys political entities would suggest that there is a bit more going on that just a feeling inside?
It would appear to replace established political systems - otherwise what is the point of it?
When Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is spread out upon the earth but men do not see it, I do not believe that he was speaking about any particular political system. On the contrary, when he said to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's (i.e., pay your taxes), and to lay up one's treasure in heaven, he seemed to acquiesce in whatever political system was at hand locally.
What do you make of Paul's admonition to "obey your masters in all things"? That does not look like a call to political revolution.
@moonbus saidI would agree with you.
Certainly the Roman governor, Pilate, was concerned that any so-called King of the Jews, even if understood in a purely spiritual sense, would or might conceivably have political consequences amounting to sedition. Pilate was particularly keen to nip in the bud any Jewish revolt in his province.
When Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is spread out upon the earth but me ...[text shortened]... nition to "obey your masters in all things"? That does not look like a call to political revolution.
There isn’t any part of the bible that I’m aware of that would encourage political activity of any sort. The fact the we are to be no part of the world and voting is a worldly practice suggests to me that one should abstain from politics full stop.