Prologue
The word kingdom comes from the Greek word “Basileia”. It has two meanings depending on the context in which it is used. When used in reference to a king’s dominion, the word kingdom means the authority, influence, control or dominion which a king exerts or wields over a territory. On the other hand, when used in reference to a king’s domain, the word kingdom means the territory or domain over which a king rules and exerts authority, influence, control or dominion. These two definitions form the bedrock upon which the precepts and concepts in this book are founded.
Having defined the very fundamentals upon which these verities or realities stand, it is of utmost importance that we also grasp a comprehension of the two basic terms often used by Jesus and other epistle writers when communicating kingdom truths, these terms are the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are two very important terms that need to be thoroughly understood in order to fully comprehend the kingdom verities chronicled in this book. From the study of scripture, it has been discovered that they are both related terms used depending on the particular context in which the word kingdom is used.
While the kingdom of God is like a whole or a superset, the kingdom of heaven is like a part of the whole or a subset. This is why in some cases where the kingdom of heaven is intended, the term kingdom of God can be used interchangeably because its meaning also includes the meaning of the kingdom of heaven. Most times when referring to the king’s dominion, authority, control, influence over man, the heavens and the earth, over all the creatures living and non living, including the billions of stars in each galaxy and the hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe, the term kingdom of God and not the kingdom of heaven is used. For example John 3:3 explains how that by being born again, man enters into the kingdom of God. In other words by being born again, man brings himself under the dominion and control of God, into the realm where God lives and reigns as a Spirit being and is awakened to the influence of God fully by his decision to accept Jesus as his Lord and king.
The term kingdom of heaven is used when referring to the earthly domain or the earthly aspect of the kingdom of God over which Jesus, the Son of God reigns as King. When Jesus came to the earth, He began by saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand because He had come to establish it (Matt 4:17). In fact His daily prayer was for the kingdom of God to come on the earth (Matt 6:10). That is why He spent so much time teaching about the kingdom of heaven and giving a lot of parables about it. By the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the kingdom of heaven was finally established on earth and it became possible for man to enter this domain while still on earth. Jesus opened the life gate and made it possible for eternal life to be received and lived right here on earth. In fact His sole purpose of coming was to invade the earth with heaven and make it possible for us to experience heaven on earth. Now every believer still on this earth lives in the kingdom of heaven and is under the spiritual authority, control or dominion of God known as the kingdom of God.
Kingdom Verities Volume One presents in a consistent and regular flow of thought, several kingdom concepts on chapter basis. It explains how citizenship operates in the kingdom of heaven, then goes on to describe the distinguishing features that set kingdom citizens apart from earthly citizens as kingdom species. Kingdom embassy follows, explaining the concept of the church relative to the kingdom of God, and establishes the importance of getting filled of the Holy Ghost to the point of being endowed with kingdom dialect (tongues) alongside how to use it appropriately as kingdom citizens.
Next, the real purpose of our kingdom citizenship, which is, how citizens ought to become kingdom ambassadors, who having been endowed with kingdom dialect and endued with power plus character should influence for the kingdom, is explained. Then, the concept of colonization which captures the mandate given to kingdom citizens to spread and expand the kingdom colonies on the earth is elucidated. Furthermore, kingdom culture which is characteristic of the heavenly community from which we hail is expounded on. The climax of this volume is the kingdom intelligentsia, which expresses how kingdom citizens can contribute their quota in proffering workable solutions to the pervading decay in the systems of this world for as long as Jesus tarries.
It must be clearly established at this point that the word of God is the ultimate reference for truth. No earthly kingdom or human experience can adequately describe the kingdom of heaven. In areas where earthly kingdoms and contemporary trends have been used, the word of God is always used ultimately to substantiate and consolidate how these visible trends illustrate the mode of operation of the heavenly kingdom. As you feast on this gripping work of art, be informed that Volume Two is in the offing.
Yours in the Kingdom,
IREDAFENEVESHO OWOLABI
The Kingdom Man.
