Studies In The Kingdom Of God

Vol 2: Chapter 2: The Holy Spirit - We Are To Know & Experience Him

"Now we have received...the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God" 1Corinthians 2:12

For those of us who have assembled jigsaw puzzles, we know how challenging they can be. Sometimes we feel like tearing our hair out trying to put them together, especially the more difficult they are. The pieces seem so random and it is difficult to tell where the various pieces go and how they fit together, since many of them are the same color and have similar shapes.

Seeing and comprehending the purpose, plans and activities of God is much like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Everything seems to be so random and we have a difficult time putting together the pieces He has given us so we can clearly see the completed picture. Yet, He has given us some foundational keys to help us see the big picture of what He is doing and to reveal to us how the pieces of what He is doing fit together.

In the scriptures, God has given us the foundational keys for comprehending Him and His purposes for us in this age. He has given us the big picture of what He is doing, which is the expansion of the Kingdom of God on the earth. God has revealed to us what the finished picture will look like – the throne of God coming down to the earth where He will rule in the presence of His people forever. He has also given us pieces of the puzzle that we need to frame that big picture, which are: 1) the initial establishment of His Kingdom on the earth through humanity; 2) the transfer of His Kingdom regents (humanity) to the domain of darkness, through sin; 3) the redemption of humanity and their transfer back into the Kingdom of God; and 4) the reestablishment of the Kingdom of God on the earth, through Jesus. The rest of the scriptures and what God has and is doing in human history reveal the remaining pieces of the puzzle so that all of creation and each individual person in this creation may comprehend His specific will, purposes and activities for them in this age. The key word is "reveal" or "revelation" which implies that a personal relationship and communication is established between God and His people.

Embracing and experiencing the realities of the Kingdom of God is the glue that holds everything else together. Without embracing and experiencing the nature, character, purpose and operation of the Reign or God, the Scriptures will seem like disjointed pieces of a puzzle that never seem to fit together. We will see bits and pieces of truth from the Scriptures but we won't grasp the "big picture" reality and its relevance to our daily lives. Consequently, when difficult times come into our lives and these bits and pieces of Scripture are severely challenged, we will revert to what we do know – the pattern of behavior we have always followed and what our physical senses tell us is real.

In order to embrace and experience the Kingdom of God, we must first understand its nature and how it relates to us and to creation. The Kingdom of God is real and active, and it functions according to specific attributes and characteristics. Therefore, to discover the nature, character, attributes and abilities of the Kingdom of God, we must first discover the nature, character, attributes and abilities of God, Himself. God does not and will not change and, therefore, the defining attributes of the rule of His Kingdom will not change. The manner in which God rules his Kingdom will never conflict with his personal nature and character.

God values the free will He has sovereignly given to humanity and He desires each of us to willingly choose the rule of His presence in our lives. For those who willingly choose the rule of God, He provides all we need to be vital citizens of His Kingdom, to live lives in accordance with the nature and character of His Kingdom, to receive revelation from Him regarding Himself and His will for our lives, and to be engaged with Him in His Kingdom activities in this age and in the ages to come. This truth is exciting news for all of us and restores in us a sense of eternal purpose and destiny; giving us confidence and hope as we seek to grasp a greater understanding of the Kingdom of God and how it impacts our lives and activities, now.