Book synopsis · ~20 pages · Easy reading

Easy-Reading Synopsis: The Gospel of the Kingdom

Not the Gospel of the Church. This ~20-page synopsis stays close to Robert J. Cottle’s own wording—condensed chapter by chapter for clear, unhurried reading.

This is a faithful overview, not a substitute for the full book. Scripture references and arguments follow the manuscript. When you are ready for the complete treatment, get the book on Amazon.

Introduction

Much of this book is based on transcripts of recordings of teachings by David Nathan specifically given for his church in 2010 and used with permission. David is a Bible teacher, elder and leader of Bread of Life Ministries based in Gauteng, South Africa. Born into an orthodox Jewish family David came to faith in Jesus in his early twenties. This upbringing enables David to teach from the Scripture through a unique Hebraic understanding. Robert is a writer and published author of Christian books, living in Nelson New Zealand. Many of the chapters that follow have been modified as necessary to convert the oral address to a written media while still retaining the underlying message.

The remaining portions are original works especially written for this book by Robert. The Kingdom of God is a subject that is not spoken about much, in context, in the Church.

We tend to talk a lot about the Kingdom of God but we don’t really understand what the Kingdom of God actually is. This is because the Church is busy with the gospel of the Church. The Church is about the Church and not about the Kingdom – generally speaking. David recalls a time during which they meet a couple of times each week to pray and intercede to seek God's face for His will at his church.

Finally, I believe that God has a sense of humour so I’ve incorporated meaningful but ambiguous quotes from various Church signs around the world at the start of each Chapter.

Chapter 1: The Kingdom of God

If we objectively examine the reformed Church the undeniable conclusion is that the present-day Church is not as the Bible describes it. It is therefore absolutely imperative for the Church to transform. Generally, what we currently understand as Christianity is nothing more than tradition. And tradition is completely devoid of any biblical roots. I know that may be very upsetting to hear but it's important we do get challenged because God is taking His Church into an area of restoration. God is coming back for a spotless bride for a bride without flaw or blemish.

A bride that will reflect what Jesus died to accomplish – to establish the Kingdom of God. Turn with me, if you would, to the Book of Daniel, Chapter 2. Here we find Daniel together with the remnant of the nation of Israel, and specifically Judah, in captivity under the Babylonians. Nebuchadnezzar, the Emperor of this Empire, one night had a dream, a nightmare; therefore, he calls all his wise men, magicians and sages together. He says “I had this dream and I want you to tell me its interpretation but before you tell me its interpretation I want you to tell me what I dreamed.” Of course they cried, foul.

I mean, after all Moses didn't do much, did he? Clearly, you obviously knew that you were greater than Moses so what is all the confusion about! You see Saints, the problem is that we look at what Moses did and then think that this scripture (Matthew 11:11) can't be true. That's because we don't understand the Kingdom of heaven. Before I go on I do need to make some clarification, so please read carefully. At this point in Scripture round about AD 25 or 26, Moses was not in the Kingdom of heaven.

Neither was John the Baptist in the Kingdom of heaven because the Kingdom of heaven hadn't come yet. The Kingdom of heaven was at hand but Moses never lived under the Kingdom of heaven. John the Baptist never lived under the Kingdom of heaven. King David never lived under the Kingdom of heaven.

This all spills out of the whole ‘dominionism” theology, which is what gives rise to that sort of bad doctrine. “The fact songs say that there’s a highway to Hell and a stairway to heaven says a lot about traffic numbers”

Chapter 2: The Parable of the Sower

In Matthew Chapter 11 Jesus turns to His disciples, in front of the disciples of John, and says that from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. We now know that that doesn't make much sense in the English. It makes a little bit better sense in most English translations but in the Greek it makes perfect sense. From the days of John, the Baptist till now, a period of only about 15 or 16 years, maybe less, Jesus says to His disciples that the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence.

That word violence there is Greek word biazō - suffers violence. Biazō means energy, the desire to press in, the desire to obtain, a passion to obtain. The Kingdom of heaven is at the mercy of the passionate. It’s obtained by the passionate; it’s obtained by those who will forsake everything to obtain it. The Kingdom of heaven is not for half-hearted, lukewarm or indifferent people and that's where the Church is missing it. We have lowered the standard of salvation to such a minimal level that all you’ve got to do is believe in Jesus and you assume that you're born-again.

The Bible reminds us, in the book of James, that even the demons believe in Jesus and they tremble. Faith in Jesus is not sufficient to get you into the Kingdom of heaven.

The Word of God is indeed joyous; it is wonderful, therefore there is joy and excitement. However, it goes on in verse 21 “Yet he has no root in himself.” There's no character, there's no depth of godliness, and they have not endured in faith. The Bible says that as a result of faith, Romans 5:3-4 “that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” The end result is character, a godly character. Because he does not have a godly character he only endures for a while. As soon as tribulation comes, as soon as there’s opposition to the word, as soon as there’s hardship, as soon as there are tough times, then that person crumbles, that person falls away.

How many like that have we met? The Word of God is so awesome – I love this church! But after only one offence, boom, it’s gone.

That’s good because than you can continue learning about the Kingdom of God. If you understood this chapter then you can understand what we’re going to continue with in the next chapter.

Chapter 3: Destined to Reign

I need to share a very unusual subject with you in this chapter as part of this series of teachings on the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. It's very radical because the Church generally, is not involved with the Kingdom of God. The Church generally is involved with the gospel of the Church. We’re busy building our churches and the empires of men and, by and large, the body of Christ around the globe is not busy with the Kingdom of God. In the previous two chapters we've looked at some pretty radical things in the scripture that the Church doesn't often prioritize, or minister much on.

We need to worship God, I want to worship the Lord, but I feel that we need to worship God with understanding. There are many Christians who don't actually know why they’re Christians. There are many Christians who come to church and are ignorant of what the Church of Jesus Christ is all about. So now, I do believe by the Spirit of God, and by God's Holy Word, we are going to learn something about Christianity that we have not really considered before. Let’s commit this word to God in prayer.

“Father, Lord in all things may you have supremacy through Christ. Let your Word be true, my God.

That is the first resurrection. For the Church that is the rapture. The Bible says in the book of 1 Thessalonians 4:15 when Christ comes “that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.” Then we read in 1 Corinthians 15:52 “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” This is the first resurrection. So the ‘they’ here, who John refers to as the Saints who were beheaded and persecuted through the tribulation period, is the Church as a whole.

The Church will rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years. Saints, there's work to be done. We are saved that we might be adopted, that we might be co-heirs with Christ, in His Kingdom.

We go for there for inner-healing, outer-healing, deliverance, this and that and all the rubbish that's become part of the Church –oh, please deliver me! All we need to do is to simply learn the lessons.

Chapter 4: Beatitudes Part 1

A friend of mine shared recently that a church he was previously part of is very active doing wonderful work in the community. However, although it was a great church he left there and became involved with another church because he wanted more teaching, more doctrine. Unfortunately, his previous church now sees him as an enemy. Isn’t that terrible! How that must break the heart of God when God's children do not walk in love one with another. What is the root of that, where does this come from? It comes from what I've been teaching in the previous three chapters.

The Church does not understand the Kingdom of God. The Church is busy with the gospel of the Church. Each church is busy trying to build itself. It's trying to protect its members, to keep its members. Doing what they believe God wants for their church in isolation with the rest of the body. Every church by and large is guilty. It's a terrible, terrible indictment against us as believers that the greatest command that Jesus gave His church, outside of loving the Father, is that we would love one another.

That by this love, by the love and deep affection and care which we have for one another, the unsaved would know that we are the disciples of Jesus. Isn’t it amazing that the enemy has come into the Church and diminished the very area that is meant to be our greatest witness?

Many people are Christians but very few people are children of the Kingdom. There are a lot of people who have mouthed the word “Jesus is my lord” but they are not part of the Kingdom of God. That's what Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord… them I will declare to them I never knew you.” Saints, saying Jesus is Lord does not make you part of the Kingdom, Living by the laws of the Lord of the Kingdom is being a part of the Kingdom.

Now when I talk about law I'm not talking about the Mosaic Law, please. I’m talking about the law of love and grace. Today I want to share on the Beatitudes from a slightly different angle than usual. I'm not in any way side-lining what others have taught but I want to revisit this teaching in light of Kingdom understanding.

But if we realized that by His grace, by His goodness, by His love and by His Mercy He has given us an opportunity of salvation by embracing the sacrifice of His son, then you and I are sons and daughters of the Kingdom.

Chapter 5: Beatitudes Part 2

I want to continue to examine the attitudes of Kingdom living – the attitudes of the Christian. Unfortunately, many Christians do not have Kingdom attitudes. Many Christians do not behave like Christians. To be born-again is not an end of a journey, to be born-again is not a destination, it is a beginning. Jesus said unless a man is born-again he shall not see the Kingdom. Unfortunately, the Church has preached a very contrary gospel, a very different gospel to the gospel that Jesus preached. Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom but the Church preaches the gospel of the Church.

The Church only wants people to be saved. As long as you're saved and if you’re Pentecostal or charismatic and full of the Holy Spirit you're okay. However, most Churches place no emphasis on Kingdom living, therefore most Christians behave very badly and do not reflect the character of the Kingdom of God. The reason for that is because there has been very little emphasis placed in the Church on Kingdom attitudes. I'm sure you might be aware of some incidences where you've encountered un-Christ-like behaviour from Christians. Unfortunately, these are not rare but very common and the reason for that is because we do not preach the gospel of the Kingdom and insist that we become mature in Christ, that we begin to reflect the nature of Jesus.

In the previous Chapter we started looking at the Beatitudes or the beautiful attitudes of the Kingdom.

Not according to Jesus. He said that the greatest testimony that you have is the love that you have for your brothers and sisters in Christ. This is what John records in John 13:35, – the actual words of Jesus – “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” People don't want to hear the gospel of Jesus when they see the heart of Christians, I’m generalizing of course. Some of you are wonderful, no, I say, most of you are wonderful.

All of you are getting more and more wonderful, you’re getting ‘wonderfuller!’ Saints, the sad and heart-breaking truth is that the Church, in general, is a most unloving a most dangerous place to be in. It is safer to be in the world.

When you are born-again God's love in-dwells you by his Spirit. The ability to love as God wants you to love is already in you. Just do it God's Way.

Chapter 6: Beatitudes Part 3

It’s important we continue looking at the Beatitudes or the blessed attitudes of the sons and daughters of the Kingdom. There have been countless sermons preached on the Beatitudes throughout history but unfortunately many Christians believe that these are only suggestions on how we should live. They do not understand that these are the characteristics and the attitudes that God desires, His children to adopt and to live out. In this Chapter we’ll remain in Matthew Chapter 5 and start from verse 8. We looked at “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy,” and we saw that, generally speaking in the Christian Church, it is very difficult to find mercy.

Christians generally are not very merciful because generally Christians are not very loving. Mercy is an expression of love. We saw that Jesus commands us to be merciful as God has been merciful with us - a God, who is gracious and forgives us our transgressions; therefore, we in the Church are called to be merciful to others. Mercy does not mean we excuse sin. Mercy does not mean we do not deal with sins but mercy is the attitude that we have when relating one to another. Mercy does not mean we turn a blind eye.

Mercy does not mean we use hyper grace – “Don't worry, God forgives everything.” Mercy is an attitude of heart, that I love somebody enough to minister to them in Grace.

We need to live a holy life; we need to be holy as God is Holy. Matthew Chapter 5, verse 9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” This is an awesome portion of Scripture. “Blessed are the peacemakers for,” ‘the peacemakers are the,’ “sons of God.” The Bible says in Romans 8:29 that “He (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;” Christ the man. The ‘man’ Christ Jesus – It’s not talking about Christ in His deity – was the firstborn of the sons of God.

I won't go into that doctrine except to say that Jesus is God, Jesus is equal with God, but Jesus laid aside the power of His deity and took on the form of a man.

We are the sons of God, we are the daughters of God therefore we do not have to fear the enemy. Christ calls us to clean our heart.

Chapter 7: Beatitudes Part 4

We need to continue examining the blessed attitudes of the citizens of the Kingdom which are found in the book of Matthew Chapter 5. We’ve explored verse 8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” You’ll also recall verse 9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” A thought struck me as I recalled that song, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation....” The Kingdom of heaven is made up of immigrants. It is impossible, absolutely impossible, to be born into the Kingdom at birth.

No person at birth is born into the Kingdom of God. The only person ever, who was born into the Kingdom, is the King of the Kingdom – Jesus. Every other person is an immigrant. One chooses to forsake ones’ homeland to enter the Kingdom. One chooses to surrender ones’ citizenship to take on the citizenship of heaven. Now, I'm not preaching the Jehovah's Witness gospel. In my Church the majority are South African citizens but our true citizenship is in heaven and until you are willing to immigrate, you cannot be a citizen.

I thought I’d just throw that in for free. We need to continue exploring what are the characteristics of the citizens of heaven. What are the characteristics of the citizens of the Kingdom of God.

That you are reflecting the Kingdom, that your life is showing the fruit of the Kingdom of God and blessed are you. Do you know Saints, that there is what's called, in the Kingdom of heaven, the crown of the martyrs? A crown reserved for those who are afflicted for the name of Jesus (Revelation 2:10) As we learnt previously, the whole point of our life, after coming to Christ, is that we might labour for God, that we might find ourselves faithful, so that in the Kingdom of heaven, we will have authority.

All of us are going to have different authority in heaven. That authority is not based on how dynamic your ministry was on earth. This is so important and I’m compelled to say this a thousand times a day, until people get it. The authority you will enjoy in heaven has got nothing to do with how dynamic your ministry on earth was.

Give us grace by Your Spirit, my God, to be the light that will reflect Your mercy so that souls will be saved and that the Kingdom of God would be extended. In these times have mercy on Your Church. We ask in Jesus’ name.

Chapter 8: Kingdom Authority

While on leave recently I found myself standing on the beach staring towards the East. The sunlight was warm and the birds frolicked as the waves crashed at the shore. As I stood there in my tee-shirt and shorts, with the sun beating down, the Lord kept stirring my spirit, saying to me that unless we come under authority we will have no authority. I meditated continuously for two weeks on that, on what God had put in my spirit. Looking at us, as a Church and the body of Jesus as a whole, we see that in this area we are doing incredibly poorly.

We generally are not under Authority. Authority is a principle of the Kingdom that is so important. What I'm going to share in this Chapter is so incredibly important. I'm not sharing it to strike a point. Please hear me, I'm not sharing something to make a point or to try and validate things that have happened in the past as a Church. What I'm sharing is something that God has put in my heart. This is so crucial to understanding the Kingdom. In the past few Chapters we examined the Beatitudes spending four Chapters on them.

The Beatitudes, or put differently, the blessed attitudes of the citizens of the Kingdom. The attitudes a citizen of the Kingdom needs to adopt. But now Saints, we need to go a bit further.

That is how Authority works and it's the same when God says submit to governments. You might not like the government or you might not like what the government is doing but that is irrelevant. God says submit to every ordinance of man (1 Peter 2:13). It’s not whether you like it or not, it’s got nothing to do with your opinion or my opinion. t is the way of the Kingdom. God can't expect His children to have authority if they will not submit to His authority. There are authorities in the Church that are ordained by God and there are authorities in the world which also are ordained by God because the Bible says all authority is from God.

That's another thing we're going to get into later. Christians need to start submitting to the authority of the land.

Don't look at authority and think I'm not learning anything therefore I cannot submit. Oftentimes the greatest lessons that you and I need to learn are not doctrinal they’re character.

Chapter 9: Unity of the Body of Christ

I don't want to summarize what I've written about already but we see that there are two Gospels being preached today, - the gospel of the Church and the gospel of the Kingdom. We saw that the gospel of the Church is not what Jesus came to preach. He preached the gospel of the Kingdom. He died for the Kingdom of God so that people would be saved, redeemed and adopted as sons and daughters, as children of God and then they in turn would extend the Kingdom. This is done by going to the highways, the byways, the prisons, to the poor and preaching the good news so that sons and daughters can be adopted through the blood of Christ and the Kingdom of God can advance.

We've examined what the Kingdom of God is and compared the gospel of the Kingdom to the gospel of the Church. We've investigated the beautiful attitudes to the citizens of heaven which the Church really needs to start adopting. Then we observed a particular Kingdom principle – ‘submission’. You cannot have authority until you're under authority. In this Chapter I want to look at the subject of unity, - unity in the Kingdom of God. Generally, in the Church there is no unity. We will find within local congregations there are divisions.

Paul had that problem in Corinth.

He says some say I’m of Paul, some say I’m of Apollos and some say I’m of Peter and of course the super spiritual who say I am of Christ. Within any local community you're going to have division. Between communities – between local Churches – there is division. Then we have divisions of denominations so the Church really is a horrible place. I'm not really fond of the current state of the Church because it’s full of strife, bitterness, one-upmanship, and suspicion and all the things that we hear about that goes on in prisons.

That is the result of what happens when you preach the gospel of the Church. “Come to our Church, we are the best Church. Don't go to them down the road they don't know anything.

Lord, change my heart and put a greater measure of your love in me so that I would love each one, my God, with the love with which you have loved me. Dear Lord, please minister to me Father and change my heart. In Jesus name.

Chapter 10: Not in Word but in Power

The Bible states in 1 Corinthians Chapter 4, verse 20, “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” Paul writes that to the Church at Corinth. The Kingdom of God, God's Kingdom, is not about doctrines and theologies. Although doctrine and theology is important it is not the foundation of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is about the dunamis of God, – dunamis, in the Greek. It’s about the power of God. The Kingdom of God is advanced and is established through the power of Almighty God.

Not in debates on doctrines and theologies. Where the Kingdom of God is, the power of God should be evident. However, if we’re truthful we see that that is not so of the Church of Jesus Christ, in general. There is much word but very, very, very, very little power. These things ought not to be so my brethren. Turn with me to the Book of Luke Chapter 9 as I want to show you a Biblical pattern that God has established in His Kingdom. It’s a pattern that transcends the New Covenant.

It’s found in the Old Testament over and over again; where we see that our God is a God of power and a God of might. God begins His interaction with mankind in great power. He creates the universe; that takes some doing. He creates man. Every time God interacts with man He interacts in power.

The Jewish response would be “le’chaim” which means to life, to your life, to your way, to your truth. We hear what you're saying Lord and we give ourselves that we might have life. The Rabbi Paul with this Hebraic understanding speaks to the Church at Corinth and he says, and I paraphrase, “How is to that when you come together to take communion one is drunk and one of you has consumed all the communion wine and others have eaten all the food.” But then he goes on to say, “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.” (1 Corinthians 11:29.) Saints, we don't take communion to ask God to forgive us for our sins, that is so unscriptural and yet so traditional.

Sin is dealt with in your quiet time it is dealt with between you and God.

It doesn't matter how gifted you are. You will never function in them if there are areas in your life where there is disobedience or rebellion.

Chapter 11: The Parable of the Ten Virgins

S ometimes when we're confronted with very new concepts it shakes us even though we might see it clearly in the Bible. Paul said, “It’s imperative that you study these things for yourselves.” What we've done in the previous pages by the Spirit of God is to open up your mind to consider things that you possibly haven't thought of before. The Kingdom; yes, we’re all awaiting the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is at hand was the message Jesus and His disciples preached. This Kingdom came about on the day of His resurrection and it is advancing.

However, it does not advance as we generally perceive and envisage it. The Kingdom of heaven advances in the Spirit, it doesn't advance in the earth through our understanding. The Church does not become stronger and stronger and eventually take over this earth. This world is fallen, it is judged and the god of this age has been judged. The Lord is not going to come and share His throne with man. He's coming to rule supreme. I want to continue with this theme of the Kingdom and look at one of the parables of the Kingdom –the parable of the ten virgins is found in Matthew Chapter 25.

You and I need to be alert because we are living in the end times and the Lord's return is imminent. If you believe in the pre-trib rapture it’s more imminent than those who believe in an intra-seal, rapture.

Regardless of what you believe the fact of the matter is, the rapture of the Church is imminent. There's only about four or five years difference between the different views on when the rapture occurs. Therefore, if you believe in pre-trib you go earlier. If you believe in intra-seals, well you wait another five years. If you believe in the pre-trib and you see the Jews building the third temple and the start of the daily sacrifices, then your belief was wrong and you simply just wait. If you believe in the intra-seal rapture and you love the Lord you'll be taken before the persecution, which is a bonus.

Okay, I'm not here to talk about the timing of the rapture which is my favourite subject but today I really feel that the Lord would have us look at, Matthew 25.

Father, I pray that you would fill your children with your Spirit that they will be able to stand in these dark days. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. .

Chapter 12: The Work of the Kingdom in This Age

In the previous pages we’ve considered the various aspects of the Kingdom and what are the characteristics of a person in subjection to the King of this Kingdom. We looked at the power of the Kingdom and the fact that on this earth we are training for reigning. Since that is true it’s a good idea if we understood then what is the work of the Kingdom. Our role in the everlasting Kingdom is determined by the King Himself. The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” Paul wrote this to the Church of Corinth, believers in Christ.

The Church will be judged, Saints. This however, is not a judgement regarding our sinful state. Our sinful nature was totally done away with when we became redeemed through the blood of Jesus. This judgement is the fulfilment of the parable of the ten minas, which we looked at earlier. We will be judged with regard to the mina, the gifts or the tasks that the King has given us here in this lifetime. The reward of this judgement, we saw, is cities, reigning with Christ. This judgement will determine our eternal work and position in the Kingdom.

Remember we discussed previously that while Jesus was and is fully God, when He came in flesh, He chose to put the power of His deity aside and live His days on earth as man. Jesus learned obedience not in the sense that He was prone to disobedience and had to bring rebelliousness under control, but in the sense that He fully entered the human experience. As a child, He obeyed His parents (Luke 2:51); as an adult, He obeyed the Law (Matthew 5:17) and fulfilled all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).

All His life, Jesus completely fulfilled the Father’s will (John 8:29; 15:10). Obedience is not a gift, it is learnt and experienced. Jesus learnt obedience on earth by experiencing it in every situation, no matter how difficult. As a Son, He was obedient to His Father even to death on the cross.

There is often little reward in this life but when our Master comes, when the Kings returns for us then we will be rewarded and we will rule with Him. . “Honk if you love Jesus” text while driving if you want to meet Him immediately”

Chapter 13: What Is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

Turn with me if you would in your Bible to the Gospel of Mark Chapter 4. As you do that I’d like, if you don't mind, to provoke your grey matter a bit. If I were to ask you the question; why did Jesus die on the Cross? How would you answer that? It's pivotal to our faith. We believe that God took on the form of man, lived a perfect life, died on a cross for our sins, was buried and rose again, – why? Because He loved us, yes He truly did. – But why?

To redeem us, yes very good, but again why? Why would He want to redeem us? Because He loved us so much, so we can have a place in heaven, so we can be reconciled with God, to cleanse us from our sin. It's interesting that everything I’ve just listed is true but it's not the reason. Those are all parts of the work of the Cross, of our salvation, of our redemption and our reconciliation back to God. Heaven is our home. These are all truths to allow us to be conformed to the image of His Holy Son.

All those things are true but it's not ‘the truth’. That's possibly why the Church is so weak. That's possibly why the zeal and the passion that the early Christians had, has waned. – Because we have substituted, ‘The’ gospel for another gospel.

You and I should not be worrying about anything, if we put God first and if we truly seek His Kingdom. Matthew says in Matthew 6, actually it’s the same, the same sermon that this was recorded in Luke 13. Matthew 6:33 Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” The things of this life; food, clothing, a roof over your head, all these things will be provided. Jesus goes on to focus on the gist of His message.

He's saying in this life, whilst treading on this earth, put God first, and seek God with all your heart then He'll take care of you. But that's not the full story. Whilst on this earth, in this temporary life which is like a vapour, like the grass of the field which today is and tomorrow is burnt-up.

God is working on our character so that we can govern as His Government. Set your mind on the things that are above. It’s not about your salvation anymore it's about your transformation into His image

Chapter 14: The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven

M atthew 24:14 states; “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” The following is that gospel. Preach it throughout the whole world. Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that the Father’s house will be filled. The King is coming. A Mighty King is coming to reign over all the nations of this earth. All other power and authority on this earth will be instantly annulled and cease.

Every person alive in the world today is faced with a decision. This coming Kingdom is absolutely certain; therefore, you must answer this question. “What is your position going to be in this Kingdom?” Will you be a citizen and reign with the King? Will you attempt rebellion against the King? Or will you risk to somehow remaining alive with your only hope, a subject without rights in this Kingdom while you await judgement? The choice is yours but it can only be made now before the King appears. The time is very short.

Who then is the King and why should you prepare for Him? It is recorded in the annals of history that 2,000 years ago Jesus came to this earth as the suffering Messiah and lived here as a man for about 33 years before His gruesome death followed by His resurrection three days later.

Doctrine and fellowship are based on the apostolic teachings of the Scriptures together with a Hebraic understanding of family and discipleship. It is of great encouragement to David that, in accordance with the Scriptures, the Lord will perfect His Bride, the Church, before His return. In order for this to happen, there needs to be the restoration of sound Biblical truth in the Body as well as a genuine move of the Holy Spirit to empower believers to preach the gospel of His Kingdom and salvation to all nations, as spoken by Jesus in Matthew 24:14.

The foundation scripture that inspires Bread of Life Ministries is found in John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” David has a passion for Biblical teaching of truth and while he is not a natural teacher, the Lord has blessed him with an outstanding spiritual gift to teach.

The Gospel of the Kingdom, not the Gospel of the Church. Not Many Fathers, the story of Othniel. Eschatology 101, What the Bible says about the End of Time