INTRODUCTION

All men live in a natural kingdom of this world. They live in a city or village which is part of a nation. That nation is a kingdom of the world.

In addition to the natural kingdoms of this world there are two spiritual kingdoms which exist. Every person alive is a resident of one of these two kingdoms: The kingdom of Satan or the Kingdom of God.

This course concerns the Kingdom of God. It introduces the two spiritual kingdoms, their rulers, and residents. It provides spiritual keys for gaining access to the Kingdom of God and warns of things which result in being cast out of the Kingdom. The past, present, and future of this Kingdom are examined, Kingdom parables are explained, and its patterns and principles of living are stressed.

Why is study of the Kingdom of God important?

Jesus told His followers:

And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)

Before Jesus returns to set up His Kingdom in its final form, the Gospel of the Kingdom must be extended throughout the nations of the world.

In order to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, you must understand the Kingdom of God. Before you can become custodian to the keys to the Kingdom, you must first experience that Kingdom.

In the past, much emphasis has been placed on the life and ministry of the King of the Kingdom, Jesus Christ, and rightly so. But not enough emphasis has been given the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus told the religious leaders of His time:

Ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men: For ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

(Matthew 23:13)

It was this Gospel of the Kingdom which was the central purpose of Christ’s life. He began His earthly ministry by declaring the arrival of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:17). He ended His earthly ministry by speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom (Acts 1:3). In between the beginning and ending of His earthly ministry, the emphasis was on the Kingdom:

And He said unto them, I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also; for therefore am I sent. (Luke 4:43)

The Kingdom of God was the greatest concern of Jesus. His teachings and parables focused on the Kingdom. His miracles were a demonstration of the Kingdom of God in action.

The phrases “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” are used over 100 times in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We are told to seek first the Kingdom, to pray for it, and to preach it. We are told how to enter the Kingdom and taught that residency in it requires a new lifestyle.

To enter this Kingdom, to maintain residency, and to fulfill the commission to preach its Gospel to the world it is necessary to understand the principles and patterns of the Kingdom. That is the purpose of this course.

But there is a greater purpose than just understanding Kingdom principles. You must go beyond mere knowledge of the Kingdom to actually experience it and make it the central purpose of your life.

People seek for meaning in life. They want a cause for which to live and die. Make the Kingdom of God your central purpose of life and ministry. It is a Kingdom which cannot be shaken by enemy forces. It is an eternal cause to which you can give your total allegiance.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

Identify the invisible spiritual kingdoms.

Identify the rulers of the invisible kingdoms.

Identify the residents of the invisible kingdoms.

Explain how entry is gained into the Kingdom of God.

Summarize the past, present, and future of the Kingdom of God.

List sins which prevent entrance into the Kingdom of God.

Recognize the importance of spiritual patterns and principles.

Demonstrate understanding of basic principles of the Kingdom of God.

Demonstrate understanding of Kingdom parables.

Become an ambassador of the Kingdom of God by spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom.