8) The Coming of the Kingdom

The Rapture Trap … (Part 8)

(The Revelations, the Lord has given to me by the Spirit, along with my teachings and comments, are written in Blue) (May we all have ears to hear)

Luke 17:20-23 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he (Jesus) answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (The Kingdom cannot be seen with our eyes) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, BEHOLD, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and YE SHALL NOT SEE it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. (Let’s remember, the words in bold black italics were added by the translators) 

Luke 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. In other words, let me paraphrase it, or say it in modern day English. For as the Understanding of the Word of God’s Kingdom is spoken out of one person (part) under heaven … is revealed and understood by another person (part) under heaven; so shall the Son of man be in His day. The revelation of God’s Word will advance God’s Kingdom in earth, through ‘word of mouth’, as we used to say; that is unto those who have ears to hear, and to whosoever will receive, accept and choose to follow Christ Jesus.

Back in the days when Christ Jesus lived on the earth in the flesh, there were no books, magazines, newspapers, radios, televisions, computers nor internet services, etc. There were no technologies of any kind, like we have today. Back then, public speaking and passing information by ‘word of mouth’ was the common method of the day, for publishing any type of message.

So, Jesus was simply telling them back then, that after He went to cross and died, rose again and then ascended unto the Father … that afterward, in His day, (which has been going on since year 30 AD and is still going on today) He would advance His Kingdom, by the Spirit, using various messengers and believer’s by publishing the understanding of the Christian Gospel through ‘Word of mouth’.

Sometimes, the perception of certain passages of Scripture can be confusing, until the Holy Spirit reveals them unto us. The understanding of this particular passage in Luke 17:20-24 is really just that simple. I pray this clarifies the understanding of this one, for all of us who study’s God’s Word. 

The Apostle Paul understood it well. Look at what he says in Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 

... and in Ephesians 4:10-16 He (Christ Jesus) … is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, (That is to say the word ‘perfect’ meaning ‘mature’; or ‘complete’ in labor, growth, mental and moral character … Strongs G5056) (We do not cross a certain line, then all of a sudden, we become perfect. 'Perfect' as Jesus used it, is meant for us to become mature adults in Him, or mature as He was mature. Remember in Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. ... that is to say unto a 'mature man.'), unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Again the Apostle Paul is stressing ‘perfection’ or ‘maturity in Christ): whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part (Notice the word ‘part’ here … pointing to each member or 'person' of the body), maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (This is what the advancement of God’s Kingdom through ‘Word of mouth’ is really all about, and precisely what Jesus meant in Luke 17:24 in relation to His day)

Love to you all … In Christ Jesus!!

J Stone Grant