The Kingdom of God, Salvation, and Eternal Life

[Once4all]

Do you believe that to enter the kingdom of God is to enter into salvation? That the "kingdom of God" and "salvation" are synonymous? Let's add to that "eternal life."

I think that salvation, eternal life, and the kingdom of God all refer to the same thing in Scripture.

You know how theologians and commentators talk about the "now and not yet" or "now and later" aspects of the kingdom and salvation? Here's how I think it works: We enter into the kingdom (life/salvation) now, in our bodies on earth, with the hope of inheriting the heavenly reality when we die. We enter into covenant to do the will of God on earth, which, if we succeed in overcoming the world, when we die, we are judged regarding the deeds done in the body. This judgment is for those who have entered into covenant with God through uniting with Christ. Those who say "Lord, Lord" (those in covenant) but do not do what he says, are guilty of breach of covenant and thrown into the lake of fire. Those do not inherit the heavenly promise.

There are SO many scriptures supporting this. I was going to list them, but I know once I started, this would turn into a mega-post. Better that they come out gradually in discussion.

At the conclusion of Jesus' words in Matthew 25:32-46, those who did not do the will of God on earth, yet called Jesus their Lord, "go away into eternal punishment" and it is the righteous who go into eternal life.

Other NT writers expand and clarify what this means. For example:

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
(1 John 2:29 NASB)

Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
(1 John 3:7 NASB)

[Morris]

I certainly can agree with this.

[didymus]

Just one thing. Regarding the lake of fire. Do you take that literally? I take it as a metaphor for the judgment of God.

- my cup is empty

[Allyn]

I think there is a mystery here concerning the kingdom of God (Heaven) that became fully known to those believers towards the end of the 1st century, specifically at Christ's return on or around AD70. In my study I have found that the believers had to work out something in their own separate lives in order to be ready for the kingdom fully come in. We see statements like work out your own salvation and cut off what offends you so that the whole body won't be condemned or the kingdom is likened unto something of great value that it makes you sell what you do have in order to obtain it. These are instructions for the living who will be alive at the kingdom's arrival which must take place at the coming of Christ with His holy angels.

Now, how those who awaited it coming recognized it when it came is somewhat of a mystery at least to me. Did they physically see Christ return or was there some awakening in the hearts of believers that it had come? I am not certain. But I do believe it is fully here for us today and freely given to every new believer of every generation. I believe it is a n assurance of peace in the heart which not all believers seem to experience equally but I believe can through prayer and meditation on God's Word. The power of the kingdom is in the security that our works to obtain it is no longer neccessary - only our coming into its acceptance through the washing by the word.

All in all, Bev - agree totally with you on this subject.

[Once4all]

Didy, I lean toward metaphor; however, the descriptions of it make me believe that it is lasting.

Allyn, the judgment on Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (destruction of the temple and unbelieving Israel) sounds different than the sheep and the goats judgment that Jesus describes. The targets are different, for one thing. One is unbelieving Israel, the other are believers (those who call him Lord). One is a "coming on the clouds" judgment of wrath, the other is a sitting on the throne judgment of those who stand before him.

Jesus told the twelve that they would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:30, Matthew 19:28). Might this be indicative of an ongoing judgment beyond 70 A.D.? When Solomon built his house, part of it was a hall of judgment where his throne was (1 Kings 7:7). In Isaiah 16:5, the throne of Hezekiah, a type of Christ, would be "established in lovingkindness, And a judge will sit on it in faithfulness in the tent of David; Moreover, he will seek justice And be prompt in righteousness."

Daniel 7:14 tells us that the kingdom and dominion given to the Son of Man would be everlasting. Judgment from the throne is part of overseeing a kingdom. If the kingdom is everlasting (and ever-growing), then the duties of the throne would also continue, wouldn't they?