The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Inner and Outer Kingdom of God, #4

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:23)

After the thousand-year period has been completed the two domains (the firstfruits of the Church and the main body) will be reunited just as the Ark and the remainder of the Tabernacle were reunited in Solomon's Temple (I Kings 8:4). The two domains, the militant Zion and the balance of God's Israel, will form the one new Jerusalem.

Revelation 3:12 is a basis for believing that those who have become "pillars" in the Temple of God will remain pillars forever. Once a mighty man always a mighty man, although the militant, holy remnant are part of the one Israel of God. There will be those who are greatest in the Kingdom of God and they are servants of all.

The third domain of glory of the inhabitants of the new earth is the "nations of the saved." The members of the nations of the saved must come up to Jerusalem to "keep the feast of Tabernacles," that is, to be renewed in the Divine Life of Christ dwelling in the saints (Isaiah, Chapters 60, 61; Zechariah 14:16; Matthew 25:34; Revelation 21:24).

We see in the design of the Tabernacle of the Congregation a model of the Kingdom of God. The model suggests that there will be some who reap Christ a hundredfold, some, sixtyfold, and some, thirtyfold (Matthew 13:8). There will be no more "sea" of people in whom Christ is not ruling (Revelation 21:1; compare Revelation 13:1).

The individuals who today have been born again of Christ are a firstfruits of the nations of people whom the Lord God one day will save into His everlasting Kingdom (James 1:18).

Every human being who is permitted to live on the new earth must partake of Christ to some extent. It is the responsibility of the royal priesthood to bring each saved person into God's rest, that is, into joyous obedience to God's will; also to guard against the arising of sin among the nations of the saved. Gone will be the "sea" of people, as we have said, who are tossed about by self-will, rebelling against God's holy will and ways. There will be a righteous and just government. God's servants shall rule over the new righteous creation (Revelation 22:5).

The Inner Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is an inner kingdom. It is the rule of God in Christ in the saints.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)

There are three great symbols of ancient Judaism: the altar of sacrifice, the Lampstand, and the booth of the feast of Tabernacles.

Parallel to these symbols are the three great facts of salvation: God's Lamb on the cross, the Presence of God's Spirit, and the dwelling of God and His Christ in man.

The symbols and the facts are one and they make up the three Divine concepts that are the foundation of hope and motivation for every person who loves God and seeks to do His will.

To be continued.