The kingdom of God.

[Checkpoint]

Some seem to think it is entirely future, while others give the impression they are always thinking of it as present, and to not be looking at the future in kingdom terms at all.

Jesus had much to say about the kingdom, including this:

Luke 16:

6 The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is being zealously urged into it.

So, where do you stand as to whether it is present, future, or has both a present and a future aspect?

On what basis?

According to which scriptures?

[AquinasForGod]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1150]

So he is reigning analogically?

Correct, which is not the same as metaphorically. Analogy can be literal but different. When words are used equivocally, then they mean very different things like bat the sporting equipment and bat the mammal. They can be used univocally, which is to say they have the same meaning like Fido is a dog and Rover is a dog. I mean dog in the same sense for both Fido and Rover.

When we use a word analogically it doesn't have to be a metaphor. When I say that I love my wife and I love my mother, I am not speaking a metaphor. I mean literally that I love my wife and I mean literally that I love my mother. However, love here is not univocal or equivocal. It is analogical.

All ideas we attribute of God must be analogical, be it power, or ruling, or intellect, or love, etc because God is nothing like us. God is eternal, infinite, timeless, etc. We are not those ways.

[2timothy316]

All ideas we attribute of God must be analogical, be it power, or ruling, or intellect, or love, etc because God is nothing like us.

So these scriptures are lies?
Genesis 1:27 "God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them."
1 John 4:16 “God is love.”

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1150]

So he is reigning analogically?

Correct {snip}

analogically reign is still a reign. So saying "God reigns", "God is King" is not wrong or inaccurate, al thatnis inn question is how one interprets that rulership /kingship. So it is curious that you said ...

To say the kingdom of God is his rule or reign ... is not the God of classical theism, and I would argue is not a god at all.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1150]

So he is reigning analogically?

Correct {snip}

Ok ... so we still have not settled what the kingdom is in reality (ie it is an analogy for WHAT?) you mention it ruling in our hearts and it has been pointed out to me that you might not mean Gods kingdom is a feeling [in our hearts], so what is it ? A feeling and/or a mental disposition or something else ?

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1142]

Hello, JW.

You are quite right.

My post was totally confused and out of order.

I tried to have it deleted but it was too late for that.

My sincere apology to both of you.

[AquinasForGod]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1154]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1150]

So he is reigning analogically?

Correct {snip}

Ok ... so we still have not settled what the kingdom is in reality (ie it is an analogy for WHAT?) you mention it ruling in our hearts and it has been pointed out to me that you might not mean Gods kingdom is a feeling [in our hearts], so what is it ? A feeling and/or a mental disposition or something else ?

But I did state what it is in reality. It is a state of being, like how JOY is a state of being. The difference is that JOY is a state of being in the sense of material being, whereas the kingdom of God is a state of the soul.

For when it says Christ dwells in us, it is in our souls, for it is not talking about the material body (now glorified) dwelling in us.

[MissKate13]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1144]

God is not a king in a literal sense, but by analogy for God is above all, so God is not literally reigning.

Jesus is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and He is literally reigning now.

Jesus is God, therefore, God is reigning.

Our God is one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

[MissKate13]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1154]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1150]

So he is reigning analogically?

Correct {snip}

Ok ... so we still have not settled what the kingdom is in reality (ie it is an analogy for WHAT?) you mention it ruling in our hearts and it has been pointed out to me that you might not mean Gods kingdom is a feeling [in our hearts], so what is it ? A feeling and/or a mental disposition or something else ?

But I did state what it is in reality. It is a state of being, like how JOY is a state of being. The difference is that JOY is a state of being in the sense of material being, whereas the kingdom of God is a state of the soul.

For when it says Christ dwells in us, it is in our souls, for it is not talking about the material body (now glorified) dwelling in us.

I know your post was not directed to me, but I’m wondering if you understand that the kingdom of God is not of a physical nature. It is spiritual.

Jesus affirmed this truth: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here. ... You rightly say that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.”
(John 18:36-37)

[AquinasForGod]

[Replying to MissKate13 in post #1158]

I agree that it is not physical. It is a spiritual state of being. It is not a place for God doesn't exist in a place as God has no spacial dimensions, at least in Classical Theism, which I hold to be the only true God.

[MissKate13]

Aquinas for God,
I’m happy to know we can agree that the kingdom is spiritual by nature. Imho, we cannot see it, but we do see it’s effects. Agree?

Can we agree that the kingdom is here now, and that we, Christians, are citizens of that kingdom presently?

Can we agree that those outside of the kingdom are lost?

Can we agree that when Christ comes again, He will deliver said Kingdom to God the Father?