GLST 200 Kingdom Comparison Essay
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Liberty University *
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200
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Religion
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Dec 6, 2023
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Tracey A. Coleman
GLST200: Introduction to Global Studies
My embedded and previous understanding of the kingdom of God was limited, and I
believed that the kingdom of God would only be revealed upon Jesus' return. Although I knew
that God was the supreme ruler over heaven and earth from the beginning of creation and that his
reign would be forever. I never fully realized that God’s kingdom was in the present as well. His
love, and mission are within us, and we must be glad to share the gospel of Jesus with others as
Isaiah 52:7 records “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your
God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7 New International Version). I have a full understanding and belief that
Christ was born he lived and died for our sins and that he sacrificed his life for all of mankind. I
still viewed the kingdom of God in the future tense and that heaven is a place within his kingdom
where we would spend eternity with him.
My view of the kingdom of God has been tremendously broadened with study and
deliberate theology. Based on the readings from the book
Perspectives on the World Christian
Movement: A Reader
by Winter and Hawthorne the authors point out the meaning of the
kingdom of God as it relates to the nature, and universality of His rule, His sovereignty over all
things, and that His kingdom is everlasting. Psalms 145:13 records “Your Kingdom is an
everlasting Kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations” (Psalm 145:13
English Standard Version). His rule and kingship are inclusive of all nations. Rev.11:15 states
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He
shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15 ESV) with an invitation to privileged
participatory involvement in God's mission of the expansion of His kingdom here on earth.
According to author George Eldon Ladd, in “
The Gospel of the Kingdom
,” in
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader
, there is a way to enter into the
kingdom of God. He notes “Then came Jesus of Nazareth with the announcement, “Repent, for
the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17 ESV) “This theme of the coming of the Kingdom
of God was central in His mission. His teaching was designed to show people how they might
enter the Kingdom of God.”
1
The Old, and New Testament views, the significance of parables or
stories that aid in illustrating the Lord’s message, and the importance of God's mission and
purpose are evident throughout history and supported by scripture and point to God as the
subject of mission and repentance as a way into the kingdom of God.
Instead of a limited view that we would only enter the kingdom of God at the return of
Christ, I now have a better understanding of the role of believers in fulfilling God's plan for the
expansion of his kingdom here on earth. I also understand that we are equipped with a kingdom
mindset, and we experience and share the kingdom of God as we serve in righteousness, and the
love of Christ and share the gospel as His agents throughout the world. According to Willis
Avery T., “
On Mission with God,” in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader
he stated that “Christians are Kingdom people Christ Himself is the eternal King over His
kingdom. He “has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father (Rev 1:6).”
2
The Importance of understanding God's mission and purpose throughout history is key to
understanding God’s vision of the kingdom, his plan for his people, and the power of the gospel
to transform lives and lead people to repentance, a place in the kingdom of God, and eternal life
1
George Eldon Ladd,
“The Gospel of the Kingdom,” in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader,
4th ed., ed. Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2009), 83, Logos
Bible Software.
2
Henry T. Blackaby, Willis Avery T
., “On Mission with God,” in Perspectives on the World Christian
Movement: A Reader
, 4th ed., ed. Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library,
2009), 77, Logos Bible Software.
through Christ. John in verse 5 of chapter 24 states “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my
word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over
from death to life” (John 5:24 NIV). The kingdom should not be viewed as a realm or people but
as God's authority to rule, and ultimately conquer death, and defeat Satan. Ladd stated that “This
is the mission of God’s Kingdom: to abolish death. God’s Kingdom must also destroy every
other enemy, including sin and Satan.”
3
God has a vision and plan for His people and has
revealed that His kingdom has come providing deliverance from sin, eternal life, and the
blessings of God's righteous rule and revelation of the mystery of the kingdom.
The mystery of the kingdom was something I see now I had very little knowledge of until
this course. I only related it to the parables spoken by Jesus.
As a result of the readings this
week, I learned the mystery of the kingdom was the revelation that God had already humbly
entered the scene through Christ to bring blessings, and life to his people by sacrificing his own
life, and this good news can either be accepted or rejected. By way of his disciples, the word of
God will be preached throughout the world before the end comes. St. Matthew records in
Chapter 24 verse 14 “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” (Matthew 24:14 NIV).
In essence, the realization that can be concluded was stated by George Eldon Ladd, “
The
Gospel of the Kingdom,” in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader,
Ladd
3
George Eldon Ladd,
“The Gospel of the Kingdom,” in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A
Reader,
4th ed., ed. Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2009), 89,
Logos Bible Software.
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states “The Kingdom of God is here; but instead of making changes in the external, political
order of things, it is making changes in the spiritual order and the lives of men and women.”
4
God has a vision and plan for the present and future of His people. His plan was evident from the
beginning of creation, to establish His kingdom by the spreading of the gospel to all nations
throughout the world, to bless his people, redeem his people from sin and death through Christ's
death, burial, and resurrection, and a promise of eternal life with him when he returns.
Word Count 926
4
Ibid.
, 87
.