Archive for October, 2009

Kingdom of Heaven – Part Four (final portion)

Monday, October 5th, 2009

(Key to the Kingdom)

Personal

Do not think that rest in the Kingdom of Heaven is according to some human prescription. There are principles of the LORD that govern our abiding in the Kingdom of Heaven, as well as in any other place of eternal presence with the LORD. One of those principles is that we must be stripped of those things that would offend the LORD. For instance, it would not be good for a soul to enter the presence of the LORD with a central focus on gaining money: money is not needed in the Kingdom of Heaven.

It would also not be good for a soul to enter the presence of the LORD with only the skill of making war: war is not required in the Kingdom of Heaven. Indeed, we have a powerful example of the distance that war is from the Kingdom of Heaven. This example involves an earthly matter that was an image of the Kingdom of Heaven; which matter is, the building of the temple.

Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God. And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight; Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it.So David prepared abundantly before his death.

Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel. And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: But the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

(1 Chronicles 22:1-10)To understand the non-essential nature of war–now–in the Kingdom of Heaven, one need only consider that: it is not for naught that the Prince of the realm in the Kingdom of Heaven is called the Prince of Peace.

— There’s more for you to read –

 

Kingdom of Heaven – Part Four

 

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