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The Lost Doctrines of Christianity

The Kingdom of God

What is the Kingdom of God? Is it something in your heart? Is it the church or is it a vague metaphor without substance? The Kingdom of God can be compared to a human kingdom. A human kingdom has a king, subjects, territory, laws and a government to administer those laws. The Kingdom of God has the same components. Currently, the Kingdom of God is not on this Earth. Satan rules this world and until Christ returns and replaces him, the Kingdom of God is not yet here. When Christ returns and reigns on Earth, the Kingdom of God will be on the Earth. Christ said his kingdom was not of this world.

John 18:35 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. KJV

Until it is on this Earth, Christians pray: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in Earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10). How does one enter into the Kingdom of God once it arrives?

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. KJV

Born Again

What does "born again" really mean? Christ answers this question in his discussion with Nicodemus.

John 3:3 :4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. KJV

Christ taught Nicodemus that being born again means to be born into the spirit. It is not a fleshly birth but a spiritual birth. When does this spiritual birth occur for Christians?

1 Thessalonians 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. KJV

This is the same verse describing what happens when the Feast of Trumpets is fulfilled. The Day of Atonement foreshadows the coming return of Christ when Christians will be born again into the spirit. Paul describes this future event in 1 Corinthians 15:

1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body…49 And as we have borne the image of the Earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. KJV

Paul expands on what Christ taught. The Christian is mortal in a physical body. After repentance and baptism, one receives the Holy Spirit. Mainstream Christianity teaches that this is when one is born again. This is where the common phrase "born again Christian" comes from. But Christ and Paul taught that one has to become an immortal spirit to become born again. They both taught that flesh and blood will not see the Kingdom of God but that immortal spirits will. Mankind's true destiny is to become an immortal spirit being and be part of the Kingdom of God. God will populate the spirit realm with God beings patterned after Christ and co-heirs with Christ. The inheritance of mankind is to inherit all things.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

If the true meaning of "born again" only applies to a spiritual birth into a spiritual body at the return of Christ, what happens at the time a Christian receives the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. KJV

Paul taught the Ephesians that receiving the Holy Spirit is a promise that seals a Christian until the promised redemption. He also called it an earnest of our inheritance. What is earnest? This is an old English word meaning a serious mental state with determined intent. The term "earnest money" has been used to indicate ones intention of buying something. The New International Version puts it in more modern terminology.

Ephesians 1:12 In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. NIV

The Holy Spirit is a deposit promising a Christian will receive the immortal spirit body in the Kingdom of God. Receiving the Holy Spirit is not an immediate born again experience, it is a promise of a future birth into the spiritual Kingdom of God. Why is there a time element involved? It is like the process a physical child goes through. At first the man provides the sperm and the woman provides the egg. This is similar to when the spirit in man is joined by the Holy Spirit.

Anyone with the Holy Spirit is part of the flesh-and-blood children of God. And, flesh and blood cannot see, cannot enter into, cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is made up of spirit-composed children of God. The Spirit-begotten human is in the process of being born of God, but he has not yet entered the Kingdom of God. He has not yet been BORN of God. He is in the gestation state toward spirit-BIRTH, but not yet BORN of the Spirit. He yet has a lot of spiritual developing and growing to do – acquiring the spiritual character-image of God.

This process of acquiring the spiritual character of God is called "conversion."

Conversion

Conversion is something that happens at a specific time and also it is a process. One becomes a Christian when one receives the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:9 …Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. KJV

A parable of Jesus explains the process of what conversion is all about. Conversion is about receiving the spirit of God and making it grow. If one receives the spirit of God and lets it become stagnant and doesn't grow spiritually, that individual will not enter into the Kingdom of God.

Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. KJV

This parable is also referencing the time when Christians will rule with Christ.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. KJV

The Christians that grow the most spiritually will end up with the most authority when Christ returns. Matthew has another parable of Christ teaching that a Christian is expected to bear fruit and to grow.

Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. KJV

The apostle Peter encourages Christians to avoid wickedness and to grow in grace and knowledge.

2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. KJV

Conversion is both an event and a process. One is converted when one receives the Holy Spirit. But Christ expects a Christian to grow and produce fruit. What are the fruits that Christians should produce?

Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) KJV

Philippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. KJV

Character

The only thing that God can't create by fiat, an act of will that creates something without further effort, is Holy Righteous Character. Lucifer was created perfect and without flaw. Lucifer decided to rebel against God. Lucifer by his decision created evil character. By making humans physical and capable of change, God can create GODLY character within man. Character "is the ability to know the difference between right and wrong and choosing the right." God wants to create perfect Holy Character in every member of the God family so that God can trust and rely on every member of his family throughout eternity. Without Godly character, God could have a repeat of the rebellion of Lucifer. God's plan is to make sure that never happens again. Just as God is incapable of sinning because of his Holy and Righteous Character, God's plan of salvation, which includes the process of conversion, is how God is creating Holy Righteous character in man. Baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit is just the beginning. Christians are to grow and produce the fruits of righteousness and develop Holy Righteous Character. This is true conversion and this is how a Christian becomes ready to be born (again) into the Kingdom of God.

Christian Reincarnation: The Long Forgotten Doctrine

The Lost Doctrines of Christianity

Christianity Not New

The Secret Teachings

The Original Religion

The Spirit Realm

Paradox of Genesis 1

The Spiritual Ruler of This World

The True Destiny of Mankind

The Doctrine of the Trinity

The Plan of God

The Meaning of the Spring Holy Days

The Fall Holy Days

The Kingdom of God

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Reincarnation Research Center

Hebrews 9:27 does not disprove reincarnation.

The Book of Revelation Teaches Reincarnation Part I

The Book of Revelation Teaches Reincarnation Part II

Pope Arrested for Believing in Reincarnation

Reincarnation in the Bible

More Scriptural Support for Reincarnation

Biblical Proof of Awareness after Death

Buddha: Proof of Reincarnation

Scientific Proof of Reincarnation

Reincarnation (old plan), Resurrection (new plan)?

Reincarnation: The Original Plan of God

Christian Reincarnation: The Long Forgotten Doctrine

Aquarian Gospel of Christ

Resurrection - The Amended plan of God

The Essenes

Christ Taught Reincarnation

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Sabbath: The Amended Plan of God part 1

Resurrection: The Amended Plan of God part 2

The Sabbath is a Rehearsal

Sabbath and the Buddha

The Tao of Sabbath

Seven Sabbath Meditations

How to Meditate

Advanced Meditation

The Parable of the King's Diamonds

Chester's Oral tests

And God said...

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