The Subjects of the Kingdom

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Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained

 

The entrance of sin caused a separation between man and His Creator and expulsion from Eden, his paradise home. The precepts of God’s holy law, which law was alter written with God’s own finger on tables of stone and given to Moses, were violated, and the penalty for this is death. But God in His great love had a plan for man’s redemption. It was none other than the gift of His only Son as man’s substitute. This was graphically symbolized by the sacrifice of a lamb, the central part of the typical services of the sanctuary. Type met antitype when Jesus, the Lamb of God, yielded up His life on Calvary’s cross. Atonement for man’s transgression had been made; the victory over “that old serpent, called the Devil,” had been won. The good news of the gospel must be heralded to all men everywhere, and Christ’s followers, under the power of the Holy Spirit, were given the task. They have fulfilled and are fulfilling this great commission in spite of fierce opposition and deadly persecution. Though many have laid down their lives for the gospel’s sake they are assured salvation (Mark 8:35) and a glorious restoration to the Paradise so long lost through sin. The final “bruising” of the serpent’s head and the irrevocable elimination of sin from God’s universe are now certain.

 

The Things to be Overcome

 

What are we admonished to overcome? 

 

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21. 

 

Note – In 1 John 5:4 that which we are to overcome is called “the world,” and in 1 John 2: 15-17 the things of which ‘the world” consists are described as “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.”

 

How to Overcome

 

What only can overcome the world?

 

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4. 

 

What gives us the victory in our conflict with the world?

 

“This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” Verse 4.

 

Promises to the Overcomer

 

What promises does Christ make to the overcomer?

 

1.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7.

 

2.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt from the second death.” Verse 11.

 

3.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Verse 17.

 

4.  “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations – He will rule with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star.” Verses 26-28.

 

5.  “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” Revelation 3:5.

 

6.  “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write a name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from God; and I will write on him my new name.” Verse 12.  

 

7.  “To him that overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Verse 21.

 

In what one promise are all these promises summed up?

 

“He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

Revelation 21:7.

 

Note – The exceeding great and precious promises to the overcomer embrace everything – eternal life, health, happiness, and an everlasting home. What more could be asked?

 

The Literal Israelites

 

Upon whom was the name Israel first bestowed?

 

“Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,” because you have struggled with God and with man and have overcome.” Genesis 32:28. 

 

Afterward who came to be called by this title?

 

“These are the names of the sons of Israel who went out of Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: Rueben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher. The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all: Joseph was already in Egypt. 

 

Note – In other words, the descendants of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, were known as the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

What special blessings were conferred on the Israelites?

 

“The people of Israel. Theirs is an adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. Romans 9:4,5.

 

The True, Spiritual Israel

 

Who constitute the true Israel, or the seed of Abraham?

 

“It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descendants from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.” Verses 6-8.

 

What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism?

 

“And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” Matthew 3:9.

 

What determines whether one is a child of Abraham?

 

“Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.” [Have faith]

 

To whom must one belong in order to be Abraham’s seed?

 

“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Verse 29.

 

In what scripture are Christians recognized as Israel?

 

“Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:16.

 

To whom is the gospel the power of God unto salvation?

 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16.

 

 

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