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"And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM of heaven, but to them it is not given.-- But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." [Matthew 13:10-11, 16-17].

         Although God hath blinded the eyes of men, "blindness in part is happened to Israel," yet there is an "election of grace" which are being drawn out of the world, out of self, and into His kingdom. To them it is given to know-- Greek is "ginosko," TO KNOW BY EXPERIENCE, to be initiated into the realities of His kingdom. This is to go beyond a mere mental acceptance of these things, for it is to be an experiential inworking. So that when there is a declaration of the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, it will be proclaimed by those who know by personal experience, for the message and the messenger have become one. That "which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of Life, declare we unto you." [1 John 1:1,3]. Such will be the positiveness of the message.
         "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand." [Mark 1:14-15]. Yet, we, also, read, "But without a parable spake He not unto them." [Mark 4: 34]. The word "parable" from the Greek "para" meaning, alongside; and "bole" meaning, to throw. It was a pictorial word thrown alongside the invisible spirit realm. All the symbols and pictures of the natural that were used, bespeak of a deeper level of reality. But since their eyes were closed-- flesh covered their sight, and they perceived everything through the flesh approach, they were blind to this inner reality. Then "when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples."
         How we need HIM to "expound" these things to us. The Greek word "epiluo" is used here. "Luo" means "to unloose" and the preposition "epi" makes the composite word mean "to give additional loosening," so as to explain, make plainer and clearer, even to the point of revelation. The same idea is found in the noun form of the word as used in 2 Peter 1:20; "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation [epilusis]." And the next verse clarifies this to add, "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit." Thus, what Jesus taught His disciples in private, was truly fresh revelations concerning the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. HE LOOSED the mysteries, and opened them up to their understanding.
         Man has always been mystified concerning the kingdom, or any kingdom rule. Even Israel of old needed instruction, as we read, "Then ,Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom." (def-fining the position of the king in relation to God and to the people). [1 Samuel 10:25, Amplified ].
         When speaking of the "kingdom" it needs to be defined as to what realm one is making reference to, for the scripture speaks of the kingdoms of earth, the kingdoms of men, and then more specifically of the kingdom of Israel and the house and throne of David. But beyond all of this is the KINGDOM OF GOD, or sometimes referred to as THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
         One cannot properly speak of THE KINGDOM without having definite reference to the KINGDOM OF GOD, for HIS kingdom rules over all others, and when it comes to a literal manifestation on earth, it will be seen as having "swallowed up" the kingdom of Israel, the throne of David, and be a literal fulfillment of the spiritual reality. For "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever." [Revelation 11:15].
         "To the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will." [Daniel 4:17]. There are all these lesser kingdoms of men today, but even now we are learning, that while men might think they are ruling, holding the power and dominion, nevertheless it is GOD who even now RULES OVER ALL, even in the present kingdoms of men, and HE gives this "limited dominion" to whomsoever He wills. To raise up kings, and to abase them again. So, EVEN NOW His kingdom is operating, though it is more of an invisible rule, and shall one day be manifested more literally and visibly.
          "O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; Thou hast made the heavens and the earth," [2 Kings 19:15] thus emphasizing again that GOD ALONE is the Supreme Ruler, "for there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained (ordered, to arrange, set in array) of God." [Romans 13:1].
          We need much more than an abstract concept of a kingdom in which we live and are blessed. We need to comprehend the position of the King, and His relationship to God, and to the people. Very little has been taught concerning the KINGDOM OF GOD, i.e. the authority of God over His creation, and of HIS KINGSHIP in our own lives. Nor have we had much teaching to prepare people for His inward ruling, much less for His literal rule which shall be realized in due time.
         We note that the phrase, "the kingdom of God" is used 72 times in the New Testament, while the term "the kingdom of heaven" is used 32 times. They are also used quite interchangeably, though perhaps there is a specific aspect referred to in each wording. To speak of it as the "kingdom of GOD" lends its emphasis to the fact that it is GOD'S authority and dominion. When we quote the verse, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" [Matthew 22:21], you have immediately denoted two realms. "Caesar's" refers to that whole empire and dominion ruled over by Caesar. Likewise, to speak of the "kingdom of God" focuses attention on the fact that it is GOD'S rulership and dominion. While the term "kingdom of heaven," though it is certainly God's, for "Thus saith the lord, The heaven is My throne . . ." [Isaiah 66:1] yet this bespeaks both the sphere and the quality of the kingdom. It is "heavenly" in contra-distinction to earthly, and it is spiritual in contra-distinction to natural.
         When, in the timing and purposes of God, His kingdom becomes visibly expressed upon the earth, it will manifest all the qualities and characteristics of that which belongs to the heavenly realm, as well as the total sovereignty of His rule.
         Paul taught very clearly that "the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy ,Spirit." [Romans 14:17]. Meat and drink pertain to natural, earthly things. Righteousness, peace, and joy are spiritual, heavenly qualities. Righteousness does not spring out of carnal flesh, for such is corruptible. But righteousness can be made manifest in the sphere of our mortal flesh as an expression of HIS INNER DWELLING, for He is our righteousness.
         "Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." [Matthew 9:35]. The physical deliverances only served to help them hear the greater message, it was not an end in itself, KINGDOM TRUTH was the vital issue. He constantly taught the authority of God over His creation, and of His total dominion over every enemy, including demonic forces and powers. He stated, "If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you." [Luke 11:20].
        He constantly demonstrated the kingdom of God in operation.  IN HIM they saw the power of that kingdom, and that calm, cool authority which no man could resist nor gainsay. Yet all this remained a mystery unto men, because they saw Him only as a MAN, and they did not understand that the KINGDOM OF GOD was a dimension beyond the natural. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." [1 Corinthians 15:50]. The natural cannot take authority over the spiritual, but contra-wise, the SPIRITUAL can rule over the natural.
         "There arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: . . . then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of MAN is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!" [Matthew 8:24, 26-27].
         THE KING, He who is Lord of all, exercised His authority over the natural elements, and to them it was a mystery. Why? Because they saw Him as a MAN, and they viewed it all from the natural realm. They had not yet been born into the kingdom of God, so they did not understand its operation. while the kingdom was "nigh unto them," they were not prepared to enter into that realm.
         Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." [John 3:3, 5].
         Right here Jesus touches upon the very center of the preparation that prepares us to SEE and to ENTER the Kingdom, the new birth, being born from above. His statement, "My kingdom is not of this world," [John 18:36] makes it self-evident that if we would enter His kingdom we must become part of another realm. Hence an essential part of the mystery of the kingdom is that of the NEW BIRTH, being born from above. "If any man be in Christ a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new." [2 Corinthians 5:17]. And thus our citizenship is transferred from the kingdoms of man unto the kingdom of heaven. Which Paul also reaffirmed when he stated, "Our conversation (Greek, citizenship) is in heaven." [Philippians 3:30]. We now belong to another realm, and have immediately become "strangers and pilgrims on the earth. " Hebrews [11:13].
         As much as lieth within us, we continue to obey the laws which govern this physical realm, rendering to all their dues, but our final authority is from Heaven, for HE is OVER ALL, and it is to God that we give our allegiance. We "give thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." [Colossians 1:12-13). This "translating" (Greek is, to put over) is a process, for we are being delivered from the power of darkness-- as the in working of His Cross brings an end to the allegiance which self has for this world, and we surrender our "self ' to be swallowed up into HIMSELF.
        "In the days of these kings (of men) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, it shall break in pieces and consume all these things, and it shall stand for ever." [Daniel 2:44].
        "In the days of these kings . . . " We need not dwell on all the outward manifestation of the negatives-- they are written on the pages of our daily newspapers, as the "Treaty of Rome," i.e. the Common Market; along with the religious ecumenical movement, the political maneuvers, etc. as all steadily pushes toward their fulfillment. But there is a POSITIVE KINGDOM also being established, invisibly perhaps, at this time, but sure and certain, for He doth establish His kingdom in righteousness. And it is the "days of these kings"-- while they are yet flourishing and expanding, exercising their control, and bear heavy with their rule-- not when they are finished, but in their days, that God is setting up His kingdom, and shall subdue all before it.
        Again we see that the work is two-fold, INWARD before OUTWARD. There have been so many kings which have ruled within us, and these are being dealt with by His Cross. We have the dominant king of self-will, which has usurped control and sought to rule over those of lesser strength of will. There are kings of intellect, ruling in iron-clad dogmas and creeds, traditions and commandments of men. This brings heavy warfare to overcome the barrage of thought which condemns, accuses, and painfully wounds the soul. There are kings of desire and lust with self at the core. Impulses that are spirited by this world. Emotions which usurp unlawful sway over people. All is being dealt with, in every degree, until HIS KINGDOM alone shall hold sway within.
         Furthermore, "The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display. Nor will people say, Look, Here it is! or, See, it is there! for behold, the kingdom of God is within you (in your hearts) . . . " [ Luke 17:20-21, Amplified].
         The "God of heaven shall set up a kingdom." This word "set up" is from the Hebrew "qum" with a threefold meaning: to cause to rise up, establish, confirm. This is a process, for you cannot confirm something that has not yet been established, and surely it is not yet established if it has not even begun to form and rise up within. It is one thing for God to rise up and manifest His kingdom betimes, and those occasions do thrill and bless us, but it is something else for His kingdom to rise up within us and gradually fill our being until it is established and confirmed within.
         All this steadily brings us toward that hour when that which is within shall be outwardly manifested. The invisible shall become visible, and the kings of this world shall bow unto HIM. And when the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is manifested on earth, it shall be a demonstration of DIVINE GOVERNMENT, not a reform of man's old order.
         Since we know not the time of His appointment for this manifestation, we continue to "look unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith," and exhort one another "to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation (Greek, pressure) enter into the kingdom of God." [Acts 14:22].
         When first His kingdom entered into us, He came to us where we were, and began to subdue all the inner kings which usurped control over us. This was His sovereign handiwork within, but now, as we are being prepared to enter into His kingdom, we find it is through much pressure, and far different than His kingdom entering into us. There is great travail, birth pangs, but it shall bring forth to His glory and praise.
         There is much that makes HIS KINGDOM a mystery to man. The very fact it is HEAVENLY before it is manifested in the earth realm. That it is INWARD before it is manifested outward. That it begins as a small seed, so little, yet will grow until it fills the whole earth. That we do not fight to establish it, as the men of this world fight and rebel and stage their coup. That is does not have a man at the head, but Jesus Christ. That we do not choose it, but He first chooses us. That we have to die to the kingdoms of this world, and be born anew into His kingdom, yet this birth is a process which is going on concurrent with our dying to the old. That many have been apprehended by God to be processed and prepared, and they are not even aware of the fact that it is for HIS KINGDOM, for they have not matured enough to even know this.
         Over and over again Jesus taught them parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto . . " And using a variety of illustrations bore out all of these facts. Whether it begins like a grain of mustard seed, so small, yet grows until it becometh a tree that gives lodging even to the birds of the air, or whether it is like unto a net cast into the sea, gathering in the good and the bad, then sorting them out, and casting the bad into a fire to be purified before becoming acceptable. Be it likened unto leaven, placed into "three measures of meal, till the whole is Ieavened." [Matthew 13:33]. However the approach, the message remains that HIS KINGDOM CONQUERS ALL. The final answer, the ultimate victory is all HIS.
         Furthermore, so precious is this kingdom it is worth selling all that one has, yielding up everything of self and whatever pertains to this world, to receive that kingdom. While the writer confirms that there will be a full shaking of everything that can be shaken, which will result in "the removing of those things that are shaken" so that only those things which cannot be shaken might remain, and then adds, "Wherefore ... we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved " [Hebrews 12:28]. For His kingdom shall abide throughout all ages, it cannot be shaken, it cannot be destroyed.
        We have barely uttered the first "whispers" of this mystery of the kingdom. Yet the more we are processed and prepared, the more HE will expound, impart divine revelation on the manner of the kingdom, the glory of the King, and the total triumph of which we are to be partakers. To HIM alone be glory and praise.
        If we think only in terms of an earthly manifestation to come, we have yet to grasp the fact that it is HEAVENLY, SPIRITUAL. If we see only a man on the throne, we have missed the vital issue that it is the kingdom of GOD. If we see it only in terms of time, even abiding a millennium, we have failed to comprehend that it is an EVERLASTING KINGDOM. If we see His victory over only a portion of mankind, then we do greatly err, not knowing either the Scriptures, or the power of God, for truly "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever." [Isaiah 9:7].
         The mystery also includes the "administration" of that kingdom, as wrought through a people, His saints, when "saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's." [Obadiah 21]. For "the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." [Daniel 7:18].
        The TIMING yet remains a mystery, "Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power." [Acts 1:6-7]. Even their question revealed their ignorance of this mystery, for they thought the restoration of the kingdom would be to Israel. Ah, it is to be the establishment of His Kingdom which swallows up that which Israel once knew. They knew neither the scope, nor the power, nor the time of that kingdom. There are as many errors in their question as there were words. They still dreamt of an earthly kingdom, they assigned the time as "this time," they shut out all the other nations and restrained it to the kingdom of Israel, and they would fain know what was not revealed; whereas true wisdom is walking in the light received, and remaining open and alert for new revelation, but not in clamoring only for knowledge.
         May we indeed, "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness . . . . " [Matthew 6: 33], and continue to pray with all of our heart, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done . . . " [ Matthew 6:10], IN US NOW, and then ultimately to be revealed in all the earth. Amen.

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