09 May '15 04:28>
God’s Kingdom—Superior in Every Way ***
God’s Kingdom is a real government "having great power". The prophet Daniel gave us a glimpse of just how powerful it is. Long ago, he foretold: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that . . . will "crush" and put an end to all [human] kingdoms.” Moreover, in contrast with "human governments, which come and go over the course of history, God’s Kingdom “will never be brought to ruin.” (Daniel 2:44)"
God’s Kingdom "has a superior King". Daniel beheld the Ruler of God’s Kingdom as “someone like a son of man” brought before Almighty God and given lasting “rulership and dignity and kingdom.” (Daniel 7:1, 13, 14) That Son of man is none other than Jesus Christ—the Messiah. (Matthew 16:13-17) Jehovah God designated his own Son, Jesus, to be King of His Kingdom. When on earth, Jesus said to the wicked Pharisees: “The kingdom of God is in your midst,” meaning that he, the future King of that Kingdom, was among them.—Luke 17:21.
God’s Kingdom has trustworthy representatives on earth. How do we know this? Psalm 45:16 states: “You will appoint . . . princes in all the earth.” “You” in this prophecy is the Son of God. (Psalm 45:6, 7; Hebrews 1:7, 8) Hence, Jesus Christ himself will appoint the princely representatives. We can be sure that they will be faithful in carrying out his direction. Isaiah 32:2.
The Kingdom has righteous "subjects". They are blameless and upright in God’s eyes. (Proverbs 2:21, 22) “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth,” says the Bible, “and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37:11) The subjects of the Kingdom are meek—teachable and humble, mild and gentle. Their primary interests are spiritual matters. (Matthew 5:3) They want to do what is right and are responsive to divine direction.
God’s Kingdom is governed by superior laws. The laws and principles governing the Kingdom come from Jehovah God himself. Rather than unfairly restrict us, they benefit us. (Psalm 19:7-11) For example, heeding the Bible’s counsel to husbands, wives, and children improves our family life. (Ephesians 5:33–6:3) When we obey the command to ‘clothe ourselves with love,’ our relationship with others improves. (Colossians 3:13, 14) As we live by Scriptural principles, we also cultivate good work habits and a balanced view of money. (Proverbs 13:4; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10) Avoiding drunkenness, sexual immorality, tobacco, and addictive drugs helps us to safeguard our health.—Proverbs 7:21-23; 23:29, 30; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
Do these qualities describe something in a person's heart or a real government?
God’s Kingdom is a real government "having great power". The prophet Daniel gave us a glimpse of just how powerful it is. Long ago, he foretold: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that . . . will "crush" and put an end to all [human] kingdoms.” Moreover, in contrast with "human governments, which come and go over the course of history, God’s Kingdom “will never be brought to ruin.” (Daniel 2:44)"
God’s Kingdom "has a superior King". Daniel beheld the Ruler of God’s Kingdom as “someone like a son of man” brought before Almighty God and given lasting “rulership and dignity and kingdom.” (Daniel 7:1, 13, 14) That Son of man is none other than Jesus Christ—the Messiah. (Matthew 16:13-17) Jehovah God designated his own Son, Jesus, to be King of His Kingdom. When on earth, Jesus said to the wicked Pharisees: “The kingdom of God is in your midst,” meaning that he, the future King of that Kingdom, was among them.—Luke 17:21.
God’s Kingdom has trustworthy representatives on earth. How do we know this? Psalm 45:16 states: “You will appoint . . . princes in all the earth.” “You” in this prophecy is the Son of God. (Psalm 45:6, 7; Hebrews 1:7, 8) Hence, Jesus Christ himself will appoint the princely representatives. We can be sure that they will be faithful in carrying out his direction. Isaiah 32:2.
The Kingdom has righteous "subjects". They are blameless and upright in God’s eyes. (Proverbs 2:21, 22) “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth,” says the Bible, “and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37:11) The subjects of the Kingdom are meek—teachable and humble, mild and gentle. Their primary interests are spiritual matters. (Matthew 5:3) They want to do what is right and are responsive to divine direction.
God’s Kingdom is governed by superior laws. The laws and principles governing the Kingdom come from Jehovah God himself. Rather than unfairly restrict us, they benefit us. (Psalm 19:7-11) For example, heeding the Bible’s counsel to husbands, wives, and children improves our family life. (Ephesians 5:33–6:3) When we obey the command to ‘clothe ourselves with love,’ our relationship with others improves. (Colossians 3:13, 14) As we live by Scriptural principles, we also cultivate good work habits and a balanced view of money. (Proverbs 13:4; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10) Avoiding drunkenness, sexual immorality, tobacco, and addictive drugs helps us to safeguard our health.—Proverbs 7:21-23; 23:29, 30; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
Do these qualities describe something in a person's heart or a real government?