HOUSMAIL HM016 16 January 1999

INHERITING THE KINGDOM

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Colossians 1:13 says plainly that we have already been translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son.

Verse 12 says that we have been QUALIFIED to share in the INHERITANCE of the saints.

Galatians 4:3-5 says that we are NOW slaves who have been set free and adopted as sons.

1 John 3:2 says that we are ALREADY God's Children now.

However, none of that means that we have already INHERITED the Kingdom.

Being IN THE KINGDOM, is NOT the same as INHERITING the Kingdom.

Galatians 4:1-7 explains that an HEIR who is still a child, can own the whole estate, but still be under guardians and trustees until the date set by the Father.

If we are indeed in Christ, that is where we are now ..... HEIRS awaiting the PROMISE. (Galatians 3:29, Hebrews 11:39-40)

BUT ..... we are certainly NOT YET what we shall become when He appears. (1John 3:2)

Children must first grow to maturity, before they are ready to assume responsibility for their inheritance.

One thing I have noticed amongst all of us who know that we have already been translated into the Kingdom. No matter what we think that means about our present status, we still lack the "TITLE DEEDS" to the land, and the POWER and AUTHORITY that will be conferred when we receive our inheritance, and the time comes to rule over the Kingdom.

That is a good thing. Who wants to be ruled by a bunch of immature kids? (who don't yet understand the real meaning of authority, and who can't yet be trusted with real power)

Centuries of history record a sorry tale of the dangers of that, both in the secular world of politics, and also in a schismatic and largely apostate Church, where rulers and leaders have not always been what they should be!

Allon