Seeing, Seeking and Entering the Kingdom

His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant. And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND. (Luke 8:9-10)

No formal seminary education. No letters after their names. No denominational degrees or honors. No standing among the religious leaders of the day. No training, workshops, seminars, correspondence courses. No high-minded vocabulary. No vaunted place among the initiated. No published works. No, none of these, but rather they had been with Jesus. For over three years they had walked with Him, and broken bread with Him, and sailed with Him, and listened to Him, and beheld all of the many miracles He performed.

Dear brethren, one of the most profound and largely under appreciated blessings flowing from the bestowal of the Holy Spirit, is a true and complete understanding of what the Lord is doing with respect to His Kingdom and those considered worthy to enter and enjoy it. It is from this singular truth more or less that the word of exhortation contained on these pages springs forth. For we sincerely want you to see and know and ultimately enter into His beloved Kingdom, and to enjoy all of its contingent blessings and privileges.

Sadly, many Christians know not why they were saved. Tragically, these same know little if anything about what our Lord and his disciples taught regarding the gospel of the kingdom, or entrance therein.

“I am saved by grace through faith in the Savior; I shall most surely be a part of His Kingdom; I am going to heaven; and nothing I do or don’t do on this side of grace and faith can change that!”

This generalization we believe, fairly accurately sums up the general teaching and understanding of the hour among believers. Although Christians are routinely enjoined to pursue righteousness and to be fruitful in good works, what is largely absent is the true biblical motivation for such (what the New Testament refers to as the prize or the reward).

So why the need to be exhorted or encouraged to press further, to go deeper, to run the race to win as Paul admonishes us? Why, if all receive the prize regardless of how hard they train or how fast they run, or whether or not they even endure to the finish line? Why, if to all, the Judge of the Saints will say…

“Well done, good and faithful servant”?

Forgive me all these years brethren for wasting your time with these high-minded but empty messages exhorting you to reach deeper into the very heart of our God; to be fruitful for His glory and delight; to live and walk in the Lord Jesus Christ, to press onward toward perfection in Him; to overcome the world , the devil and this present evil age. I am dreadfully sorry for emphasizing the walking in Him whom we have received, when, apparently, it is only the receiving that ultimately avails much. All ends there it seems and I have been sorely mistaken. Apparently, after all, the blood not only covers and cleanses; it secures the crown as well, and a place in the Lord’s Millennial Kingdom.

Go on then, eat, drink, suck up whatever you can from this life here below, for it matters naught how you live, for the kingdom awaits! You are saved after all; you mouthed the pledge; you answered an alter call twenty years ago or more; you jumped through the hoop of easy-believism once and for all.

Well, the problem with this fanciful notion, ticklish to the ear though it may be, is that it is decidedly unfounded and untrue! Quite apart from how prolific is its proclamation and for how long it has been preached, IT IS FOUND NOWHERE IN THE WORD OF GOD! For it is opposed to the very character of our God and the values of the Master’s household.

The gospel of grace makes it possible for the gospel of the kingdom to be received (this is precisely what Paul taught as the “whole counsel of God”), but they are clearly not one and the same. Yes, both are good news to fallen and lost man. Yet, one is the beginning while the other is the end. One turns on grace through faith (the initial coming; “Come and see” said our Lord”) while the other turns on the works or the fruit of faith (the walking, the obeying; “Seek first… and bear much fruit” commanded the Lord). The scripture and even nature itself are consistent in that one must first be born before they can learn to walk, to run, to think, to do, to grow and mature into a full grown man.

And just so there is no misunderstanding or misinterpretation, we do indeed hold unwaveringly to the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Yet beyond that, brethren, there is the ongoing and present work of the Lord, and the sending down of the Holy Ghost to impart the life of the Vine to the branches on a moment-by-moment basis. Christ Jesus alone is the author and finisher of our faith, and faith’s beginning in newness of divine and spiritual life must go on to its end, to the time when all will be manifest, and faith will no longer have its place. Here is the Kingdom in all its glory! Here is the King on His throne for all creatures with eyes to behold! Here is where all things lead and the breach in Eden is repaired and restored, for the Glorious Dominion of the Son of Man is the hope of the creation! Praise the Lord for this and all to whom it is being revealed!

Along these lines, I thought perhaps it would be helpful (as a beginning for many of you) to bring together many of the passages in the gospels and epistles that speak of seeing, then seeking and entering the kingdom to help draw this message out more fully. As always saints, seek the Spirit’s guidance as you study to show yourself approved. Ask the Father for clarity as you humbly submit to the revelation of His Word (Philippians 3:15).

And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:24-25

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Matt 7:21

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:20

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5

“If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell… Mark 9:47

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”Acts 14:21-22

Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. 2 Peter 1:10-11

“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 18:3

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Mark 10:15

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Eph 5:5

Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. Matt 21:43

This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 2 Thess 1:5

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21

But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 1 Cor 15:50

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor 6:9-10

But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ “And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. “The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. “For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him. Matt 21-28-32

Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.’ “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. Luke 13:26-28

When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!

”But He said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’ “Another one said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’ “Another one said, ‘I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’ “And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ “And the slave said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ “And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. ‘For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’” Luke 14:15-24

And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20

Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.” And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.” Luke 18:28-30

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. Luke 16:16

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; Hebrews 12:28

From the preceding, it becomes clear that we will not so much enter that which we do not seek, and we cannot seek that which we do not yet see. If you are a Christian who does not yet have a revelation of the Kingdom of God, in all of its many aspects, spheres, timing, mystery, manifestation and glory, then go to the Father and ask Him in the name of His Son. He will by no means give you a stone. It will take time and much prayerful study, rest assured; perhaps much time, but He will show you so be patient. If you are led to lay down or lose what you hold (ideas, assumptions, expectations, teachings, even church membership perhaps) such that something new and better may be granted, then do so willingly and freely. Remember Saul, where the loss of his mules led to the finding of a crown.

If further, you are a believer who sees the kingdom with clear eyes but is not actively seeking it, then too, ask and it will be given. Be prepared, for to seek the kingdom of God you must forfeit all your rights, claims, opinions, positions and ideals in this present world. There is no other way, and this is the price of seeking.

In the end, only those who see and seek the kingdom shall enter it, and reap the reward and prize of those counted faithful and worthy, those who have overcome this present evil age and its overlord in the power and life of the King of Kings! A word of caution however: The Bible is clear that the many will not see, yet alone seek or enter; that they will not go on to maturity in the whole counsel of the Lord. It is also clear that one cannot truly overcome this present world and its god unless and until we begin to see the whole plan, purpose and provision of the Lord in respect to His Kingdom and restoration of the lost dominion to humankind.

Brethren, to advance your study in these essential matters, we refer you to the works of Robert Govett, D.M. Panton, T. Austin-Sparks, G.H. Lang, Watchman Nee, George Peters, G.H. Pember, et al, most of which are linked on our Essentials Page.

May our Good Lord bless and keep you as we await His soon coming as a little child, teachable, humble and always ready to yield. May you too forget all that is behind you, and “press forward to the goal, the prize of God’s calling on high in Christ Jesus.” May you be the Joshua or Caleb accounted worthy and faithful to enter into His blessed inheritance, while the many are left out. May you seek first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of the King! May your eyes be anointed to see clearly all that is before us in terms of the millennial prize that awaits those who take the Lord at His word! May you receive the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27 – including both the good news of grace (spiritual life granted as a gift) and the good news of the kingdom (participation in the kingdom rest as a result of faithful overcoming and fruit bearing after being saved by grace), and not just the parts that appeal to the desire for something for nothing.

In Jesus name we pray for you all, and exhort you to work out your salvation with fear and trembling such that you will be deemed faithful to enter into His kingdom rest on that day!

May our Gracious Lord bless you and keep you in His grace and peace!

A FOOTNOTE BY T. AUSTIN-SPARKS

Now you can reject all that we are saying and still be saved. In order to be saved, all that you need is to “believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). With that you can go to heaven, you can be delivered from condemnation and from hell, without having any of this that we are talking about. Well, if that is all you want, you can have it. But I ask you this, are you as concerned to be useful to God as you are to be saved? That is another question. The matter of your value to God is decided here – what account are you to Him in the realm of the spiritual forces in this universe which are opposed to Him? How much account does the devil take of you? How much are you a menace to his kingdom? Not, how many services and meetings are you taking, how many addresses are you giving, how much running about are you doing; not all those etceteras in Christian activity; but how much impact do you register upon that dark, evil kingdom? It is just there that your value to God is decided. Well, if the devil gives you a very bad time and has made you know you are a marked man, a marked woman, take comfort; it shows you are of some value to God. But we do not always remember that. We have terribly bad times under the hand of the devil and get under them, we think how terrible and wicked he is, we get occupied with that, and forget – perhaps it is a kind of humility – that we must mean something, after all. That is where things count with God in this dispensation. It is not how many structures you can put up nor how big an organisation you can create on this earth, it is not anything in the temporal realm at all. It is, in all, through all, by all, how much is counting against the kingdom which is opposed to the kingdom of God? That is the challenge which we must seriously face.

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