What is the kingdom of God?

 

What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven?

The reason behind writing this hub is a questing asked in the question section "Where is the Kingdom of God?" by Iamsam.

Before going into the detail let me tell you the difference between Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. If you study bible carefully, it is evident that both the words are used for the same meaning. Read Mathew 11: 11-12 and Luke 7:28 "I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he" Here Mathew uses the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" Whereas Luke uses the words "Kingdom of God". There are many passages and parables where different writers uses the different phrase for the same meaning. Giving below some references for your study.

Mathew 18:3 with Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16
Mathew 22:2 with Luke 13:29
Mathew 13:11 With Mark 4:11 and Luke 8:10
Mathew 13:24 with Mark 4:26
Mathew 13:31 with Mark 4:30 and Luke 13:18
Mathew 13:33 with Luke 13:20

Mathew uses the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" but Mark and Luke uses the phrase "Kingdom of God" frequently.

Now it is important to note that often we use the same phrase for three different purposes. They are:

1. Spiritual Kingdom of God/Heaven.
2. Physical Kingdom of God/Heaven. (This will happen when Jesus return to this earth as a ruler for his 1000 year reign)
3. Eternal Life.


Now let us discuss about the spiritual Kingdom of God which is very important to the present world.

Apostle Paul clearly says that "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit"(Roman 14:17) If you read few verse above, it is evident that Paul is addressing the issues related to the eating and dirking at the Church at Rom. The spiritual kingdom of God involves three most important aspects. They are:

1. Righteousness,
2. Peace and
3. Joy in the Holy Spirit

It means where there is righteousness, where there is peace, where there is joy in the Holy Spirit, there is the Kingdom of God.

We know the Holy Spirit come down from heaven on the day of Pentecost. We can read about it in Act chapter 2. So we can assume that the spiritual Kingdom of God manifested on the day of Pentecost. (I don't forget that when Jesus got baptized, the Holy spirit come down and rest upon him in the form of Dove. "and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:22)

I would like to share with you the words of Jesus where he talk about the kingdom of God. "And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." We can assume that here Jesus talks about the descending of Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Many who ware there seen the Kingdom of God with power on that day and the days followed. They also saw the Holy Spirit working among the Gentiles as well. This is the spiritual Kingdom of God prevailing among the believers. Those who experience the Joy of Holy Spirit even today are in the spiritual Kingdom of God. There is peace and righteousness associated with it.

Also it is important to note the following words of Jesus. "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."Matthew 12:28. It is evident that the signs of the kingdom of God includes the driving out of demons and healing the sick.

John the baptist preached that "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near". But it is important to note that later when John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Here Jesus doesn't give a direct answer to the question. He asked the disciples of John the baptist to report to John what you hear and see. The signs of the Kingdom of God. From the signs and wonders, we can understand whether we are in the kingdom of God or not. When you are in the kingdom of of these signs will manifest.

Jesus reveal about his Kingdom in front of Pilate: "Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” Jesus here talk about the spiritual kingdom and clears the doubt of a physical kingdom.

What is not the Kingdom of God and what is Kingdom of God?

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk. It is an experience and it is the power of God.

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit"(Roman 14:17)


Who will inherit the Kingdom of God?

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. Luke 16:16

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. Mathew 11:12

Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”Luke 18:24-25

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”John 3:3

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.John 3:5

Who will not inherit the Kingdom of God?

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.1 Corinthians 15:50

If you understand the spiritual kingdom of God, then it will be easy for you to understand the parables about Kingdom of God.

“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”Mathew. 13:33 We, who are already in the spiritual kingdom of God are like the yeast. While living in this world, we need to show the righteousness, peace and joy in Holy Spirit to others and spread the good news. That is what happened in the first century. From very few disciples, it grows or spreading in this world very fast.

We can understand the other parables from the above context.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.Mathew 13:31

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Mathew 13:44

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. Mathew 13:45

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. Mathew 13:47

Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old Mathew 13:52

Now I hope you understand what is the Kingdom of God and what is not.

What Are the Causes of Spiritual Blindness?

 

Tradition can blind us.

In India, it is a common seen that beggars are begging on the street. You will see lot of beggars outside the temple or worship places. Beggars know that people of light heart come to worship God. They get a lot of money from the people, who are visiting temple or worship places. There was an incident in front of a worship place in Delhi.

A beggar who was begging outside this worship place was crying out to people that "I am blind, I am blind, God gave you eyes. So please help me!"

One guy throws a Rs. 5 coin to the beggar's towel. Unfortunately the coin rolled and rolled away. It gone a few feet away from the towel. The blind man got up and followed the coin and took it back to his towel.

Seeing this, he who throw the coin caught the beggar and told that "you are not a blind, if you were a blind, how could you see the coin? I am going to call the police and going to hand you over to the police."

Beggar replied: "I am sorry, don't make a seen here. I am only a substitute for 3 hours. The original blind will return after three hours. Forgive me and don't call police"

Then the guy asked: "Where is the original blind?"

Beggar replied: "He is in the theater, watching a movie!"

See, we are living in this world where people acting as blind, deaf and lame. I am wondering, how much a man can be act as blind. Why people act as blind? Is it for a few bucks?

Mathew 15:1-13 talk about some people who are blind leaders. "Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

"These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain;

their teachings are merely human rules.”

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth that is what defiles them.”

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Here Jesus talks about spiritual blindness. Tradition can blind us. Our forefathers made images of God. As a devout follower of our forefathers, we worship those same images even today. But the Word of God clearly says that we should neither make nor worship any images of anything in this world.

I always wonder why these so called priests who study in the seminary for more than 5 years still behave like a blind leader. Why the teachers at the seminary teach false doctrine to young priests? They daily use the Word of God and still behaving like blind. Why can't they get out of the tradition of worshiping images and prying to saints? I am not a scholar.

I am not saying that I have gained knowledge. But God gave me wisdom to read the word of God and understand it. God has given that wisdom to all who read this. More over simplified versions of word of God is available now. Even a small child can get a lot of understanding by reading the Word of God. Let us relay on the Word of God for our knowledge about spiritual matters.

I am also surprised to find about some spiritual leaders who are in hell due to their unwillingness to follow Christ by forsaking the tradition. Ms. Angelica Zambrano Mora a young Ecuadorian girl was shown the kingdoms of heaven and hell for 23 hours. (You can Google and find more about her and her testimony) Many of our cultural icons were in hell as per the testimony. I recommend you to listen her in you-tube or read her testimony. It is very encouraging to follow Christ.

It is important to note that tradition can blind us from following God.

Basic Concepts of Macroeconomics

Domestic or Economic Territory of a Country

Basically the meaning of a domestic territory represents the political boundary of a country. But in economics, it is employed in a broader sense and bigger than the political boundaries of a country. According to the United Nations. "Economic territory is the geographical territory administered by a government within which persons, goods, and capital circulate freely" The basis for determining an economic territory depends on the freedom of circulation of goods, capital, and persons of that particular economy. Please note domestic territory is equally placed as an economic territory. It is understandable that, if a country does not enjoy the freedom of circulation of goods, capital, and persons in a particular part of the country, that part of the country cannot be treated as a domestic/economic territory of the country. Therefore domestic/economic territory includes:

1. Territory comes within the political boundaries of a country including territorial waters.
2. Aircraft and ships are owned and operated by the residents of a country between two or more countries. For example, American Airlines operating between India, UK, and Japan are parts of the domestic territory of America. A passenger ship owned and operated by an American ferrying between UK and USA can also be treated as the domestic territory of the USA because the income generated by ferrying passengers goes to the US economy.
3. Oil and natural gas rigs, Fishing vessels, and floating platforms operated by the residents of a country in the international waters or engaged in extraction in areas where the country claims exclusive rights of operation. Example: fishing in international waters.
4. Consulates, Embassies, and military establishments of the country located abroad. Embassies of China, Russia, Japan located in the USA remain domestic territories of their own countries and not of the USA.

Following does not include the domestic/economic territory.

1. International organizations like World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe (CoE), European Union (EU; which is a prime example of a supranational organization.), and World Trade Organization (WTO), etc. which are physically located within geographical boundaries of a country, form part of the international territory.
2. Territorial Enclaves like embassies are used or administrated by foreign governments.

Residential Status of an Individual or Organization

Now let us look at the concept of residential status of a person for determining the National Income of a country in economics. National income is the sum total of factor incomes earned by the normal residents of a country during a year. Therefore, there is a special meaning and importance for the status of a normal resident in calculating National Income in macroeconomics.

A resident means a person or institution who ordinarily resides in a country and whose center of economic interest lies in that country. His center of economic interest lies in the country of residence. He brings all the income to his country. He is called a normal resident. It is to be noted that the period of the stay should be at least one year or more but this condition does not apply to medical patients who are treated abroad and students studying abroad as they continue to remain part of their households in the home country.

Therefore, to be treated as a normal resident, one has to fulfill the following two conditions. They are:

1. Having an economic interest in the country of residence.
2. Staying for more than a year in that country.

Now let us look at the meaning of "Center of economic interest." It means the person or institution must carry out some economic activities such as spending, earning, accumulation, and transactions, etc. from the country of residence as well as it should be located within the economic or domestic territory of that country.

Normal residents cover the following:

1. Institutions.
2. Individuals.
3. Citizens.
4. Non-citizen resides in a country for more than a year.

A person can be a resident of the country at the same time can be a citizen of another country. Due to his birth, he can become a citizen of a country. He can also become a resident because he is staying for more than a year in another country and his economic interests lie in the country of his residence where he is staying for more than a year. Just like an American who is living in Japan for more than a year and doing business in Japan can be treated as a resident of Japan at the same time he is a Citizen of America by birth. An Indian living in America and working there for more than a year can be treated as a resident of America at the same time he is an Indian by his citizenship. He is considered as a Non-Resident Indian. (NRI)

Another significant point is to be noted is that international organizations like World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, United Nations (UN) are not considered residents of the country in which these organizations operate but are treated as residents of the international territory. At the same time, the employees who are working in such organizations are treated as normal residents of the country, if they fulfill all the requirements required to get the status of a normal resident. United Nations (UN) office located in New York, America is not a normal resident of America. But an Indian who works in the UN office for more than a year will be treated as a resident of America.

Indians who work in Nepal by crossing the border in the morning and return to India in the evening cannot be treated as a resident of Nepal. They are treated as residents of India.

Local employees who are working in foreign embassies can be treated as normal residents. The American working in the Indian embassy placed in the USA is a resident of the USA. At the same time, an Indian who is working at the Indian embassy located in the USA is treated as a resident of the USA since a part of his income will be spent in the country of his residence i.e. USA.

Meaning of Investment in Macroeconomics.

Investment
Investment represents an addition to the stock of capital goods such as buildings, equipment, or inventory that adds to the future productive capacity of the economy. It means the addition or creation of tangible assets which are useful for increasing the productive capacity of the economy. It doesn't mean that the purchase of shares or financial assets. In economics, investments represent the formation of capital goods which will increase production in the forthcoming years.

Gross investments
Gross investments are that part of the investment, which includes the ordinary wear and tear of the capital goods. The replacement cost or the ordinary wear and tear that occurred to the capital goods over a period of time includes the gross investment. Briefly, depreciation is included in the gross investment.

What is Depreciation?
Depreciation is the loss of value of a fixed asset like building, machinery, tools, vehicles, etc., due to it's normal wear and tear in the process of production over a period of time. Machinery or vehicle loses its value when it is used (or not used) for a period of time. This loss in value of such capital goods is called depreciation. Such loss is also known as the consumption of capital goods. Every organization requires a provision for depreciation, which is equal to the value of depreciation of that particular period. Provision for depreciation also known as the current replacement cost.

Suppose a new machine used in production costs US$ 1000 and the life of the machine is 10 years. A provision for depreciation in the tune of $100 a year will be set apart under the accounting head "provision for depreciation." After ten years this account will have US$ 1000 ($100 x 10 years = $1,000) With this amount, the old machine can be replaced. Therefore, this provision for depreciation is also considered the replacement cost of the machine. The fund accumulated during the lifetime of the machine is utilized to replace it when it wears out completely.

Gross investment is inclusive of depreciation or consumption of fixed capital.

Net Investment
By deducting depreciation from gross investment, we get the net investment, i.e., net investment means gross investments minus depreciation

Net Investment = Gross investment - Depreciation
Point to be noted: New addition to the capital stock in the economy is measured by net investment and not by gross investment.