The Esoteric Kingdom of God

Ben Masada · Post by **Ben Masada** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:29 pm

The Esoteric Kingdom of God - Luke 17:21

It was a custom among learnt Jews of the First Century, especially ambulant Rabbis and Teachers, to gather around them disciples in the mystical number of twelve, and to teach them Torah, as they would prepare new Teachers and Rabbis to proceed with the custom

There were many of such groups, but there was something special about the one of Jesus, that the main theme of his message was to teach about the Kingdom of God, which he would sometimes explain the esoteric character of it, as of being within ourselves.

The Kingdom of God, according to Jesus, was taught only to select number, and not intended to the general body of disciples, designed for and understood by the initiated. However, the secret, as is always expected to, would leak out into the larger populace, and even get into the ears of the Romans.

Juxtaposed to this Jewish custom of the First Century, there was to the Romans, a policy throughout the Provinces of the Empire, to arrest the head of any subversive group, and crucify him, so that the disciples dispersed. That's exactly what happened in the case of Jesus, that when he was arrested, his disciples deserted him and fled, according to Mark 14:50.

Many were crucified in the same manner, scourged in the same manner, and suffered the same amount of torture. The only difference with Jesus is that Pilate was somehow aware of his special message about the Kingdom of God.

Of course, the Romans did not bother verifying what kind of Kingdom Jesus was talking about. For them, even the buzz about another kingdom which was not Roman, was enough to take one to the cross. That's why it didn't help Jesus to explain that the Kingdom he was talking about was not of this world. (John 18:36) The joke stuck to him, and he was crucified for being misunderstood as King of the Jews. Hence the plate on the top of his cross imposed by Pilate as a deterrant to any other candidate with the same aspirations.

Therefore, Jesus was crucified on mistaken charges. His Kingdom of God was esoteric. An inner state of mind. The Kingdom within.

Ben

Ben Masada · Post by **Ben Masada** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:02 am

kayky wrote:Luke 17: 21

...nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There it is!" For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you."

I have two versions of the Bible here, KJV and NAB, and both translate that verse as "within you" and not among you. Sorry.

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:52 am

Luke 17:21
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst."

New International Version (NIV)

nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within[1] you."

Footnotes:
1. Luke 17:21 Or among

King James Version (KJV)

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

nor shall they say, Lo, here; or lo, there; for lo, the reign of God is within you.'

English Standard Version (ESV)

nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."[1]

Footnotes:
1. Luke 17:21 Or within you, or within your grasp

kayky · Post by **kayky** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:15 pm

Ben Masada wrote:

I have two versions of the Bible here, KJV and NAB, and both translate that verse as "within you" and not among you. Sorry.

I'm using the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version).

Ben Masada · Post by **Ben Masada** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:31 pm

kayky wrote:
Ben Masada wrote:

I have two versions of the Bible here, KJV and NAB, and both translate that verse as "within you" and not among you. Sorry.
I'm using the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version).

In that case, let's forget about translations of the Bible and observe Reality. We all can see that Jesus' Kingdom was esoteric, because 2,000 years have passed and the "s" is still "s". The turn for the "x" hasn't arrived yet. Should we wait for another 2,000 years?

kayky · Post by **kayky** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:45 pm

The Kingdom of God is both esoteric and exoteric. It is everywhere. It has nothing to do with setting up some kind of literal reign here on this planet. So you don't have to wait another minute. You can experience it any time you want to.

Ben Masada · Post by **Ben Masada** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:50 pm

kayky wrote:The Kingdom of God is both esoteric and exoteric. It is everywhere. It has nothing to do with setting up some kind of literal reign here on this planet. So you don't have to wait another minute. You can experience it any time you want to.

So, it is esoteric. That's exactly what you have described above.

kayky · Post by **kayky** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:53 pm

kayky wrote:The Kingdom of God is both esoteric and exoteric. It is everywhere. It has nothing to do with setting up some kind of literal reign here on this planet. So you don't have to wait another minute. You can experience it any time you want to.

Ben Massada wrote:So, it is esoteric. That's exactly what you have described above.

That is only half of what I describe above. The Kingdom of God is BOTH esoteric and exoteric. I don't understand your confusion here.

Ben Masada · Post by **Ben Masada** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:15 pm

kayky wrote:
kayky wrote:The Kingdom of God is both esoteric and exoteric. It is everywhere. It has nothing to do with setting up some kind of literal reign here on this planet. So you don't have to wait another minute. You can experience it any time you want to.

Ben Massada wrote:So, it is esoteric. That's exactly what you have described above.

That is only half of what I describe above. The Kingdom of God is BOTH esoteric and exoteric. I don't understand your confusion here.

Very good! Now, describe the other part. How could the Kingdom of God, Jesus used to speak about be exoteric?

kayky · Post by **kayky** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:06 am

Because God is everywhere. The physical universe is God made manifest.

TXatheist · Post by **TXatheist** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:28 am

kayky wrote:Because God is everywhere. The physical universe is God made manifest.

Do you believe that your god makes up the things around me such as the trees, the air, my car and driveway, and my duplex?