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To: imardmd1
Yes, that is also my understanding.

I was differentiating between the current spiritual kingdom and the future, literal, earthly one-thousand year kingdom with Jesus Christ ruling the nations from Jerusalem.

“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)

The Greek word for "within" is “entos,” which is accurately translated “in the midst of”. It really should be understood as Jesus saying the Kingdom of God is within your midst, or among you. In other words, wherever Jesus is, it accompanies him. What it does NOT mean is that it resides in everyone.

There is no current earthly kingdom of Christ but there will be in the future. What we have now is a "spiritual" kingdom, which certainly does not include everyone who calls himself "Christian", which will cease to exist at the Rapture. There are many who, for various reasons having nothing to do with a genuine salvation experience, consider themselves "Christian", and will be stunned at finding themselves launched into the Tribulation.

I'm in agreement with you.

54 posted on 06/20/2012 12:11:49 PM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta (In the last days, mockers will come with their mocking... (2 Peter 3:3))
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To: GiovannaNicoletta
The Greek word for "within" is “entos,” which is accurately translated “in the midst of”. It really should be understood as Jesus saying the Kingdom of God is within your midst, or among you. In other words, wherever Jesus is, it accompanies him. What it does NOT mean is that it resides in everyone.

Others disagree about that and I can understand why...

ἐντός
entos
en-tos'
From G1722; inside (adverb or noun): - within.

The Kingdom of Heaven is the physical Kingdom where Jesus will reign on earth (as it is in Heaven)...

The Kingdom of God is the spiritual Kingdom...And while the Kingdom is in our midst, the Kingdom certainly is in each and every Christian...'I in Christ and Christ in me'...

60 posted on 06/20/2012 4:59:39 PM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailerpark...)
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To: GiovannaNicoletta
I was differentiating between the current spiritual kingdom and the future, literal, earthly one-thousand year kingdom with Jesus Christ ruling the nations from Jerusalem.

Well, there is the controversy between the Donatists and Augustine re the composition of the "church" -- this led to the rift maintained ever since.

Am I making it clear that the visible kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God coexist now, but the Kingdom of Heaven will continue on the earth up to, through, and a thousand years (plus a little) beyond the Great tribulation, containing those who have survived that trial?

Yes, the Devil will be kept away; but the constituents will still have a sinful nature, but will be governed by Christ and those saints reigning with Him? At least, that is the perception that I have of the progress of revelation.

Dr. Thomas Strouse mentioned that "To the Donatists, the true church was the assembly of immersed believers in a particular locale, maintaining their purity through strong preaching and church discipline." It seems to me that this may be something of the conduct of worldlings in that thousand-year reign, and to which their inner chafing will eventually rise to open rebellion when the devil is released briefly at the end of that period? (A speculation) - Hmmm.

(I believe I understand the Kingdom of The God is "in the midst of you-all" when it refers to those of His Body, individuals of whom He will never leave nor forsake.)

65 posted on 06/22/2012 3:55:56 AM PDT by imardmd1 (Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.)
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