Kingdom of God, Heritage of Mankind

Unearthing the Mystery from the Creation of Heavens and Earth

Pindurai Lishandi

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781666729061, 9781666720891
• eBook ISBN: 9781666720907
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Systematic Theology & Ethics

Is the kingdom of God related to the physical kingdom of Israel? A noble desire to search for the meaning of heavenly kingdom of God usually leaves many lost in realms of imagination. As a result, unfolding the nature of God and the expanse in which he exists becomes key to those who need to have this mystery unfolded. This book gives a coherent narrative of a fairly unique perspective and insight on the kingdom that unveils God's purpose with mankind. It has an exposition of its inception in the heavenly realms at creation, manifestation in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, conferral to the church, and ultimate possession as an eternal inheritance for the chosen. Throughout the book, the triune nature of the kingdom is pursued in the various models on earth that were used by God for mankind to have an appreciation of aspects in the heavenly realms. It is a great starting point for those who need to gain knowledge from simple and clear interpretation of fundamental scriptures that carry the hope of mankind.

1

Revelation of the Glory of God

Salvation of mankind and the subsequent access granted to the kingdom of God are some of the key themes that were more pronounced in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The interpretations of the nature, characteristics, and manifestation of this kingdom vary significantly depending on the perspective from which this subject is approached. Some of the views erroneously eliminate fundamental assertions of Scriptures that were consistent whenever Christ spoke about the kingdom. More often than not, he portrayed this heavenly kingdom as an entity that was somewhat near and within reach, a description that warranted no further search in places far and wide. He emphasized its importance and reality to his disciples, notably so in the period between his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

The Scriptures then say, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt 24:14, NIV). The question that quickly comes into mind is what does the kingdom of God and gospel of the kingdom entail to merit the value and attention it is given in the Scriptures?

All aspects of the kingdom of God can never be exhausted. However, I believe that the manifestation of God in Jesus Christ, the church that he later established, and the eternal inheritance for the chosen can be construed as the premise of the kingdom concept. In the context of creation, the inception of the kingdom and the purpose of mankind is evident in the very first three chapters of the book of Genesis. The corresponding details therein form the foundation of the aforementioned presumptions. This may be understood better if the events in these chapters are chronologically analyzed from a kingdom perspective.

These chapters set the scene of what is widely regarded as the beginning. I consider it to be the dawn of features that were formed within particular confines in the expanse of eternity and it does not cover various objects that might have been outside this framework. That which has been created and made known to mankind may just be a minute segment of prior existence in other superior realms that mankind cannot even fathom. Generation upon generation, mankind could not fully comprehend the nature and manifest power of God and as a result various theories arose; some came to be accepted by faith, others by facts and fantasy of science and fiction.

Considering that the words kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven may be used interchangeably, understanding the scope of the kingdom without describing the nature of God and heavenly realms eventually becomes a mountain to climb. These two aspects are related to the kingdom. Apparently, it is most likely that the story of creation in the Bible may also have taken place in those heavenly realms and that view can be gleaned from some veins of the Scriptures. As an entry point to the analysis of the kingdom concept, a quick look into the possible background of creation may be essential.

There is a man who was privileged to converse with the Most High God face-to-face and his experiences are quite intriguing. Because of Moses’s immense desire to gain understanding, at one time he drew near a very strange sight of a burning bush that was on fire but not being consumed by the fire. This was a unique and possibly rare event and he heard a voice from God calling him and giving orders from within that bush. The Scriptures record, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you’” (Exod 3:14). Moses was hesitant to carry out the mission let alone to continue with the journey with God without knowing full well who exactly “I AM” was. It came to pass that on one fateful day, he gathered his boldness to pursue answers for his far-reaching matters pertaining to the existence of God. The intention was to possibly have all his uncertainties addressed and get further assurance from one last request if granted.

Then Moses said, “Now show me your Glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But, God said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen. (Exod 33:18–23)

These Scriptures exhibit an ideal setting for the revelation of the glory of God, such as the one reflected in the story of creation as written in the book of Genesis. The glory that Moses wanted to see was a superior dimension of the nature of God and he expected it to be brought forth in a measure that he had never experienced before. I believe that this glory of God may be referred to as the goodness, presence, or fullness of God that exhibits the complete sovereign nature and power of God.

I suppose it might not be possible for mankind to see this nature of God from a physical location. From that suggestion, therefore, the setting given by the Scriptures for the unveiling of the glory of God to Moses may be figurative. Its consequent manifestation may have happened in the form of a revelation from the heavenly realms where this dimension of God can be revealed.

One great question from Moses led to a series of instructions concerning the revelation of the glory of God, the actual encounter for which the Scriptures do not plainly provide. But is the Bible completely silent on that? I do not believe so. There are a couple of clues that may help in understating the encounter Moses had in the revelation of the glory of God.

The Scriptures say that at one time when Jesus Christ was with his disciples, he prayed for quite a number of things including those people who will later believe in him. He said, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world” (John 17:24). When Jesus Christ made this prayer, he was physically surrounded by his disciples. I do not think that every believer is meant to be at that very same physical location to see his glory. However, the implication of his words may mean that he longed for his believers to be with him in the realm where he was when he prayed. That location is an expanse from where his glory can be seen and is separate from the place where he was physically located. That realm could be the same as the one where Moses might have been taken to see the glory of God.

Prior to the day Jesus Christ made this prayer, the Scriptures say that he asked his disciples if they knew who he was. It was Simon who, upon having a revelation from God, proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ and Son of the living God. Upon this declaration, Jesus then replied and said to him, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt 16:18).

I believe that the rock referred to in that scenario may have meant a solid and firm foundation of revelation through which mankind can get to receive information from God. It is most likely then that the rock where Moses was placed might symbolize the revelation he was to be given in order to witness the glory of God.

The Scriptures also say that at one time Paul the apostle was taken into a realm which the word of God refers to as a heavenly realm. He could not even tell whether he got into such a realm in body or out of the body. In most cases, the things that happen in such a realm can only be perceived while one is still in that realm as they do not follow the norms of the physical realm. The once vivid experiences from that realm slowly fade away as the memories gradually become meaningless to the mind.

The events in such realms occur in an infinite space without passage of the time that we know. The objects of those realms are real, with endless manifestation possibilities that are only limited by the capacity of the beholder. I believe when a person goes to sleep and has a dream, it all happens in one such kind of realm. In a dream, a person can travel for thousands of miles and do many things over a period that may span a couple of hours or days in that dream, yet it will all be happening in a few seconds that the person dozes off.

Thus, Moses was probably given access to one of the realms of the Most High, a heavenly realm where God would determine the extent of the glory he would reveal. He was already made aware of the fact that he would not see God’s face in the revelation of the glory but only see God’s back. But does God have a human form that has a face and back? Surely not; God is not a man. I believe the reference to the face and back in the context of that revelation may allude to stages in the existence of God. Perhaps not seeing God’s face, but rather his back, may imply that Moses was not able to see the approach of God to the scene but his exit. This has been illustrated by Moses being covered by the hand of God and put in a cleft. From that perspective of the manifestation of the glory of God, Moses in the revelation did not even see where God came from but rather where he was heading, his purpose, and plan. To this day, mankind cannot tell the origins of God and I will not even attempt to tackle that subject. It is a mystery. Maybe God does not even have to come from somewhere to become, for he already was what he is and will be.

In light of that background, the point from which Moses began to witness the glory of God marked the genesis of the revelation to him.

Many people consider Moses to be the probable writer of the book of Genesis. Obviously he was not physically present to witness creation. However, I am convinced that the Scriptures from the initial chapters of the book of Genesis contain records that, if harmonized, are suggestive of the glory of God that he requested to see. They seem to be a narrative of events initially seen as a revelation and then later passed on as a story that was immortalized in writing. If that is the case, then the glory that Moses saw was perhaps a series of successive events that displayed God’s splendor both discretely and collectively.

Several aspects of the existence of God are introduced at creation and they include the sovereign being of the Godhead, the kingdom of his glory, and the man who carried his image.

The Bible categorically states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was all over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Gen 1:1–2).

Evidently, even in that beginning, there were factors already in existence before creation commenced. God was there, so was the Spirit of God who was seen hovering over the waters. But where was Jesus Christ and what was his relationship to the Spirit of God? It may be helpful to take a step-by-step approach into this matter and break down the basic things that are being highlighted by this Scripture.

There is a common term used by believers today, which I think has resulted in differences on how the nature of God is depicted. The word “Trinity” has found its way to be accepted as the best way of describing the triune nature of God, but not without dispute. From the concept of Trinity: God the Father, the...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Revelation of the Glory of God
• Chapter 2: The Birth of the Kingdom of Light
• Chapter 3: Image of God in Earthen Vessels
• Chapter 4: God’s Sovereign Choice
• Chapter 5: The Promised Land
• Chapter 6: Kingdom of God in the Kingdom of Israel
• Chapter 7: The Church of the Kingdom
• Chapter 8: Expanse of the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom