When "Kingdom of God" or "Kingdom of Christ" is used, it is (usually) in reference to heaven. This is the inheritance for believers in the Church Age, as well as all believers of every age. Except for that last promise "and through you all nations will be blessed", the Gentiles don't have much to do with the covenants' promises or the Kingdom of Heaven. (Although, in our heavenly bodies that we will have already received, we will be able to enjoy the blessings of the Millennial Kingdom as well. Later on we will see some scripture to support this.)
So the reward and inheritance of heaven is for all believers, because their sins have been forgiven...
(Ephesians 5:1-5) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
While we wait for heaven, we should be making the most of our time...
(Ephesians 5:15-21) Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
During the Tribulation, spiritual warfare will be amplified. (Again, as we read on, we will see scripture that supports this.) But for right now, during the Church Age, Satan and his demons are still hard at work, doing whatever they can to distract people from looking to God Definitely there are days or moments when we face some pretty evil stuff.
In these cases we should "fight fire with fire" - meaning - to battle the spiritual warfare requires spiritual forces - MEANING - look to God (the all-powerful all-consuming fire)!!! Our defense is very basic - work at being an obedient Christian - and - keep looking to God!!!...
(Ephesians 6:10-18) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints
Today's takeaway: God is holy and cannot have a relationship with sin. But when we become believers, God forgives our sins and chooses to remember them no more, so we can have a close relationship with Him. He immediately seals us with the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, and protects our eternal position as children of God. Nothing can undo our salvation! But we can grieve the Holy Spirit.
God is ALWAYS THERE! And God is always there FOR US. It is we who drift away when we choose to sin, It is we who make a mess of our lives. And this gives the devil an opportunity to make more of a mess. And then - we get all angry at God because things are a mess??? And then we get all angry at God because we cannot see Him!!!
As believers, we still have choices to make. If we turn around and look "in God's direction" - we will see God!!! Every day and every step comes with a challenge and a choice. Notice below - we must choose to "put on" the new self and imitate God. We must choose to renew ourselves in the spirit. We must choose to forgive those who hurt us. We must choose to love... and we can choose to do all these things in God's strength!!!
We will continue to have these challenges and choices until "THE DAY OF REDEMPTION" - which can be understood as that moment when we are collected and taken to heaven! Redeemed - everything paid in full is returned to "the purchaser" - free from distresses and harm!...
(Ephesians 4:17-32) So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
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