Kingdom of God-Not of this World

[starchyp]

Dear friends
I need help in my arguments with this one guy. He claims that we are building up the Kingdom here one earth. I believe this to be a new, modern innovation. He said the mission of the Church is to “build up the kingdom.” I countered that he was incorrect, the mission of the Church is to lead souls to salvation. I then quoted John 18:36 “My kingdom is not of this world.” He then proceeded to say that Christ said he himself was the kingdom. In addition, I was accused of holding a heretical position, as he said, “separating Christ from humanity.” He basically said I held the gnostic position. I told him that my position is based in scripture and tradition, and his is just from the past 40 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Who is right, and what is the actual Church teaching?

 

[ljubim]

You’re completely correct! I haven’t got the exact quotes, but here’s the catechism. Sorry to be so broad, I just felt like you could use some encouragement

Catechism searched for ‘kingdom’

 

[JRKH]

Dear friends
I need help in my arguments with this one guy. He claims that we are building up the Kingdom here one earth. I believe this to be a new, modern innovation. He said the mission of the Church is to “build up the kingdom.” I countered that he was incorrect, the mission of the Church is to lead souls to salvation. I then quoted John 18:36 “My kingdom is not of this world.” He then proceeded to say that Christ said he himself was the kingdom. In addition, I was accused of holding a heretical position, as he said, “separating Christ from humanity.” He basically said I held the gnostic position. I told him that my position is based in scripture and tradition, and his is just from the past 40 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Who is right, and what is the actual Church teaching?

May I offer that you are both right. It is the mission of the Church to buildup the Kingdom of God BY leading souls to salvation.

allow me to point you to the Catechism starting at paragraph 541 Of particular interest might be paragraph 550 which says:
The coming of God’s kingdom means the defeat of Satan’s: “If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Jesus’ exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus’ great victory over “the ruler of this world”. The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ’s cross: “God reigned from the wood.”
(Bolding mine)

Read through the section and see if it helps.

Peace
James

 

[geometer]

Of particular interest might be paragraph 550 which says:
The coming of God’s kingdom means the defeat of Satan’s: “If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Jesus’ exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus’ great victory over “the ruler of this world”. The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ’s cross: “God reigned from the wood.”
(Bolding mine)

Read through the section and see if it helps.

Jesus is using the word kingdom to mean the sovereignty of God. Casting out demons is only one example. Working miracles is to participate in his sovereignty. He did not have to be crucified to gain sovereignty. He was sent by the sovereignty of God. In descending from heaven he was reborn of the spirit of God.

Jesus was born again, and no one seems to know that, it is his gospel.

 

[starchyp]

Okay, well, what is exactly is the “kingdom.” Is God’s Kingdom heaven, or is it something here on earth. If Christ is the Kingdom, he is in heaven(the Ascension.)

James, is their anything that backs your proposition that the Church’s mission is to “build up the kingdom of God BY leading souls to salvation.”
Also, why does the kingdom need to be built up. I thought it already existed(heaven exists, we do not build it up.)

 

[JRKH]

Jesus is using the word kingdom to mean the sovereignty of God. Casting out demons is only one example. Working miracles is to participate in his sovereignty. He did not have to be crucified to gain sovereignty. He was sent by the sovereignty of God. In descending from heaven he was reborn of the spirit of God.

Jesus was born again, and no one seems to know that, it is his gospel.

I’m not sure what you are disputing here. I simply posted a link to an appropriate part of the Official Catholic position as documented in the Catechism. I suggested that you read this section thinking that it would give both you and your fellow some insight into arriving at a better understanding.

Peace
James

 

[starchyp]

James
Is the Kingdom Our Lord speaks of heaven? I ask this because if it is, then how can we build it, as it already exists?

 

[JRKH]

Okay, well, what is exactly is the “kingdom.” Is God’s Kingdom heaven, or is it something here on earth. If Christ is the Kingdom, he is in heaven(the Ascension.)

Christ said, after the Resurection,
(Mt 28:18)
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "**All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. **
So it appears that Jesus’ kingdom is of both places.

James, is their anything that backs your proposition that the Church’s mission is to “build up the kingdom of God BY leading souls to salvation.”

Yes, Jesus is currently sitting upon His throne in Heaven. He left The Visible Church, headed by His Vicar, to:
(Mt 28)
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Making disciples adds to the population of the Kingdom and thus builds it up. These disciples are also (hopefully) saved and thus the Church builds up the Kingdom by Leading souls to salvation in our King Jesus Christ.

Also, why does the kingdom need to be built up. I thought it already existed(heaven exists, we do not build it up.)

Each generation is a generation in need of salvation through Christ. The Church must continue to “make disciples of all nations”, add to the Church militant, so that we increase the Church triumphant. That is we “build it up”.

Does this help??

Peace
James

 

[starchyp]

Our Lord has all power, on heaven and earth, so He is the King of the Universe, of all creation. My question is, what exactly does Our Lord mean in saying the Kingdom? I assume this is heaven. I look to John 18:36 when Our Lord says “My kingdom is not of this world.” Wouldn’t this be heaven. Many suspected that Our Lord would be a temporal kingdom, that He would be a great military leader, and lead the Jews against the Romans. Rather, Our Lord established something infinitely greater, His kingdom, Heaven. Our Lord’s mandate is to spread the faith, the Faith and the Church He Himself established.
Why would we say evangelization “builds up” the kingdom. God’s Kingdom(Heaven) would sill be the same Kingdom, regardless of how many are saved.
The main point for me asking about all these things is that many relegate the Church, and her mission, and the Kingdom, to some social justice idea. It is like an effort to make a paradise here on earth. Is this not what radical Liberation Theology emphasized?

 

[geometer]

Our Lord has all power, on heaven and earth, so He is the King of the Universe, of all creation. My question is, what exactly does Our Lord mean in saying the Kingdom? I assume this is heaven. I look to John 18:36 when Our Lord says “My kingdom is not of this world.” Wouldn’t this be heaven.

The hebrew word is malkut which has three meanings depending on context. It can mean kingdom, kingship or sovereignty, or the reign of a king.

When it is used try to see which of these contexts is being established.

 

[JRKH]

Our Lord has all power, on heaven and earth, so He is the King of the Universe, of all creation. My question is, what exactly does Our Lord mean in saying the Kingdom? I assume this is heaven.

Since Christ has power in Heaven and On Earth why do you wish to limit his Kingdom to Heaven?

I look to John 18:36 when Our Lord says “My kingdom is not of this world.” Wouldn’t this be heaven. Many suspected that Our Lord would be a temporal kingdom, that He would be a great military leader, and lead the Jews against the Romans. Rather, Our Lord established something infinitely greater, His kingdom, Heaven. Our Lord’s mandate is to spread the faith, the Faith and the Church He Himself established.

When Jesus was asked about paying the tax to the Emporer, what was his reply? Render unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser’s and to God that which is God’s.
Jesus also, when praying for the Disciples right before the assention, prayed that the Father not take them out of the world but to protect them in the world.
These things speak to a difference between flesh and spirit. Christ’s Kingdom is not a kingdom of flesh, but a kingdom of Spirit, whether that is in heaven (Church triumphant) or on earth (Church militant). That is why we have a Universal (catholic) “kingdom”. It knows no boundaries such as kingdoms of the flesh require. Yet it is a kingdom, with Christ as it’s head.

Why would we say evangelization “builds up” the kingdom. God’s Kingdom(Heaven) would sill be the same Kingdom, regardless of how many are saved.

You seem to be thinking in worldy terms and dividing heaven and earth such that Christ cannot be king in both places. If I misunderstand I apologize.
The Kingdom of God is not changed by “geography”, even “spiritual geography” it is changed and increased by the number of saints in the church. Thus the more souls saved, the more the Kingdom is built up.

The main point for me asking about all these things is that many relegate the Church, and her mission, and the Kingdom, to some social justice idea. It is like an effort to make a paradise here on earth. Is this not what radical Liberation Theology emphasized?

I don’t know about “radical Liberation theology” so cannot address that.
If such a paradise could be created, by the Will of God, then we should do what we can to promote such a paradise. In fact that is exactly what we are supposed to be doing, not in a “worldly” way but in our spiritual lives. Changing the world through our example of Christian life - Honesty, Chastity, Faith, Charity, Love - All that Christ taught us to do in the great commandments of Love. By such witness we bring more souls intot he one flock. We increase the harvest. We build up the Church.

Peace
James

 

[geometer]

Liberation theology is the use of Christ to promote Marxism. They use Jesus to justify murder.

 

[inkaneer]

The church is the kingdom! Protestants suffer from a mentality that supposes the church to be only on earth. Protestant theology says that once you die you are out of the church and either in heaven or hell. But Catholics see the church as surpassing death. That is why we say there are three churches that make up the one church. They are the church militant here on earth, the church suffering in purgation and the church glorious in heaven. The church militant and the church suffering will one day be no more and all will be in the church glorious, excepting, of course those in hell.

This fundamental mindset of protestants is the chief reason that they cannot accept intercessory prayer directed to the saints but yet they see nothing wrong with asking a fellow denominational member to pray for them.

 

[Mailman]

The Kingdom of God could NOT be heaven because heaven already exists while the kingdom is yet to come. Near the end of His life on earth, Jesus said plainly that the Kingdom still has to come.

“For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come” (Luke 22:18).

The Kingdom of God/Heaven could not be the Church because the Church is here now while the Kingdom would still be “nigh at hand” when we “see the Son of man coming with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27, 31).

When Christ said, “My kingdom is not of this world [Greek aeon, meaning “age”]” He meant that His Kingdom is not of this time and age – that it is for a future time. Notice the original Greek translated “world” in this passage: “…and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them” (Mat. 4:8). Here, “world” is translated from the Greek “cosmos,” not “aeon.” When Christ was asked, “Tell us, when shall these things be…and of the end of the world?” the original Greek translated “world” is aeon. Christ was not asked when this world will end, but when this AGE will end [the age of the devil] – and a new age will begin.

So, what is the Kingdom of God/Heaven?

We all know that the Jews have been waiting for a Messiah/King to be ruler of Israel. The Jews know about this King from the prophecies in their Scriptures. That’s why when King Herod inquired of the chief priests and scribes where this future King “should be born” (Matt. 2:4), he was told:

“In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet [Micah, in Mic. 5:2], And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel” (Matt. 2:5-6).

The Jews understood from their Scriptures that this divinely appointed ruler would restore the glory and grandeur of the kingdom of Israel. For example, Isaiah 9:6-7 says:

“… The government shall be upon his shoulder… Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth unto forever….”

Jeremiah 23:5 adds:

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth” (Jer. 23:5).

After the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were taken into captivity [by Assyria and Babylon], the Israelites looked to these promises for a deliverer. In Christ’s day, the descendants of the Jews who returned to their homeland from Babylon centuries earlier found themselves dominated by the Roman Empire. In their oppression they prayed and hoped for the promised Messiah. They deduced, correctly, that the Messiah would be a conquering king, but what they failed to understand was that His kingdom was not for their time. That the Christ would be a real King with a real Kingdom and reigning over real nations and real peoples on this earth is evident in the prophecy of Zacharias during the birth of his son, John [Baptist].

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets…That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us… That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear” (Luke 1:68-74).

Notice that Zacharias was filled by the Holy Spirit when he declared this prophecy. That the Israelites “should be saved from [their] enemies and from the hand of all that hate [them]” so that they “might serve him [God] without fear” clearly shows Christ’s kingdom would be real and literal – a kingdom that will rule nations. The only difference between the kingdoms of this world and Christ’s kingdom is that this world’s kingdoms are ruled by mortal flesh and blood human beings while Christ’s Kingdom will be ruled by immortal spirit beings.

 

[inkaneer]

The Kingdom of God could NOT be heaven because heaven already exists while the kingdom is yet to come. Near the end of His life on earth, Jesus said plainly that the Kingdom still has to come.

“For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come” (Luke 22:18).

The Kingdom of God/Heaven could not be the Church because the Church is here now while the Kingdom would still be “nigh at hand” when we “see the Son of man coming with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27, 31).

When Christ said, “My kingdom is not of this world [Greek aeon, meaning “age”]” He meant that His Kingdom is not of this time and age – that it is for a future time. Notice the original Greek translated “world” in this passage: “…and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them” (Mat. 4:8). Here, “world” is translated from the Greek “cosmos,” not “aeon.” When Christ was asked, “Tell us, when shall these things be…and of the end of the world?” the original Greek translated “world” is aeon. Christ was not asked when this world will end, but when this AGE will end [the age of the devil] – and a new age will begin.

So, what is the Kingdom of God/Heaven?

We all know that the Jews have been waiting for a Messiah/King to be ruler of Israel. The Jews know about this King from the prophecies in their Scriptures. That’s why when King Herod inquired of the chief priests and scribes where this future King “should be born” (Matt. 2:4), he was told:

“In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet [Micah, in Mic. 5:2], And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel” (Matt. 2:5-6).

The Jews understood from their Scriptures that this divinely appointed ruler would restore the glory and grandeur of the kingdom of Israel. For example, Isaiah 9:6-7 says:

“… The government shall be upon his shoulder… Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth unto forever….”

Jeremiah 23:5 adds:

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth” (Jer. 23:5).

After the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were taken into captivity [by Assyria and Babylon], the Israelites looked to these promises for a deliverer. In Christ’s day, the descendants of the Jews who returned to their homeland from Babylon centuries earlier found themselves dominated by the Roman Empire. In their oppression they prayed and hoped for the promised Messiah. They deduced, correctly, that the Messiah would be a conquering king, but what they failed to understand was that His kingdom was not for their time. That the Christ would be a real King with a real Kingdom and reigning over real nations and real peoples on this earth is evident in the prophecy of Zacharias during the birth of his son, John [Baptist].

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets…That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us… That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear” (Luke 1:68-74).

Notice that Zacharias was filled by the Holy Spirit when he declared this prophecy. That the Israelites “should be saved from [their] enemies and from the hand of all that hate [them]” so that they “might serve him [God] without fear” clearly shows Christ’s kingdom would be real and literal – a kingdom that will rule nations. The only difference between the kingdoms of this world and Christ’s kingdom is that this world’s kingdoms are ruled by mortal flesh and blood human beings while Christ’s Kingdom will be ruled by immortal spirit beings.

The church did not come into being until Pentecost. So when Jesus spoke the words quoted in Luke 22:18 Pentecost was still in the future. As for Luke 21:27-31:

"‘27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” [Luke 21:27-31]

You will get a totally different perspective if you include the next verse:

“32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place.”
[Luke 21:32]

That event occurred in that very first century generation with the birth of the church on Pentecost. The Kingdom has been here for almost 2,000 years now. In Mark 9:1 we read where Jesus tells the multitude:

"1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” [Mark 9:1]

As for heaven that too is part of the church. After all the church is the Body of Christ and the saints in heaven are certainly in the Body of Christ.

 

[Mailman]

The church did not come into being until Pentecost. So when Jesus spoke the words quoted in Luke 22:18 Pentecost was still in the future.

Luke 22:18 was quoted to show that the Kingdom is not heaven. It was not quoted to show the Kingdom is not the Church.

As for Luke 21:27-31: "‘27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” [Luke 21:27-31]

You will get a totally different perspective if you include the next verse:

“32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place.”
[Luke 21:32]

That event occurred in that very first century generation with the birth of the church on Pentecost. The Kingdom has been here for almost 2,000 years now. In Mark 9:1 we read where Jesus tells the multitude:

"1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” [Mark 9:1]

Surely, Luke 21:27 “And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” could only be speaking about the second coming of Christ. The Book of Revelation says the same thing about the second coming: “Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him…” (Rev. 1:7).

When the Church was founded on the day of Pentecost, did anyone see Christ coming in a cloud with power and great glory? But “EVERY EYE” was supposed to see Christ coming!

If the Church is the Kingdom of God why were the apostles still preaching about “the things concerning the kingdom of God” years after the founding of the Church? – Acts 8:12, 19:8, 20:25, 28:23, 28:31.

When one is “in the faith” that person is in God’s Church. If the Church is the kingdom, how come those already in the Church must continue “in the faith” to enter the kingdom? “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

If the Church is the Kingdom of God, why did Paul say that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God”? The churches of this world, the Catholic Church included, have all flesh and blood human beings as its members. It just could not be the Kingdom of God.

“This generation” could mean the Jewish RACE and not necessarily the generation of the Jews then living in Jesus’ time.

Mark 9:1 was fulfilled six days after Jesus made the statement. The very next verse tells us that, “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.”

Jesus showed His disciples [in a vision] a fleeting glimpse of the power of the Kingdom – how the Kingdom could make Elijah and Moses, who were both dead and buried, be with Jesus, alive and in a glorified condition.

“And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.” (v. 3-4).

It was the power of God’s Kingdom to resurrect Moses and Elijah that really got the attention of Christ’s disciples: “… they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.”

As for heaven that too is part of the church. After all the church is the Body of Christ and the saints in heaven are certainly in the Body of Christ.

No saint is in heaven. As Christ said, “NO MAN hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man” (John 3:13).

Heaven IS NOT the Church and is also NOT the Kingdom of God. Heaven existed eons and eons ago; the Church was founded only recently; while the Kingdom is yet to come. “Our Father, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, hallowed be thy name, THY KINGDOM COME…”

Christ will eventually deliver the Kingdom of God to the Father: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (I Cor. 15:24). But the Father is already in heaven for, “I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; FOR IT IS GOD’s THRONE” (Mat. 5:34).

 

[inkaneer]

Originally Posted by inkaneer
The church did not come into being until Pentecost. So when Jesus spoke the words quoted in Luke 22:18 Pentecost was still in the future.

mailman writes: “Luke 22:18 was quoted to show that the Kingdom is not heaven. It was not quoted to show the Kingdom is not the Church.”

REPLY: So?

Quote:
As for Luke 21:27-31: "‘27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” [Luke 21:27-31]

You will get a totally different perspective if you include the next verse:

“32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place.”
[Luke 21:32]

That event occurred in that very first century generation with the birth of the church on Pentecost. The Kingdom has been here for almost 2,000 years now. In Mark 9:1 we read where Jesus tells the multitude:

"1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” [Mark 9:1]

mailman writes: "Surely, Luke 21:27 “And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” could only be speaking about the second coming of Christ. The Book of Revelation says the same thing about the second coming: “Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him…” (Rev. 1:7).

REPLY: But it remains that what Jesus spoke about DID occur in that generation with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Go back to verse 20 and read from there. The Jews who became christians heeded the words of Christ and fled the city in advance. The Jews who did not convert stayed behind.

mailman writes: “When the Church was founded on the day of Pentecost, did anyone see Christ coming in a cloud with power and great glory? But “EVERY EYE” was supposed to see Christ coming!”

REPLY: Did I or anyone else say that this occurred on Pentecost? I don’t think so. The Church began on Pentecost and the church is the early part of the kingdom.

Mailman writes: “If the Church is the Kingdom of God why were the apostles still preaching about “the things concerning the kingdom of God” years after the founding of the Church? – Acts 8:12, 19:8, 20:25, 28:23, 28:31.”

REPLY: Its called evangelization.

mailman writes: “When one is “in the faith” that person is in God’s Church. If the Church is the kingdom, how come those already in the Church must continue “in the faith” to enter the kingdom? “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).”

REPLY: Because when one is in the faith they are not necessarily in the Church. Jesus did say in Mt 7:21:

“Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

So this protestant idea of if you have faith alone you are saved is bogus. You must “run the race” as Paul says.

Mailman writes: “If the Church is the Kingdom of God, why did Paul say that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God”? The churches of this world, the Catholic Church included, have all flesh and blood human beings as its members. It just could not be the Kingdom of God.”

REPLY: Because the Kingdom is spiritual not physical.

mailman writes: ““This generation” could mean the Jewish RACE and not necessarily the generation of the Jews then living in Jesus’ time.”

REPLY: If that is the case then tell me why does every Bible translate it wrong.

mailman writes: "Mark 9:1 was fulfilled six days after Jesus made the statement. The very next verse tells us that, “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.”

REPLY: So you are saying that the kingdom came at the Tranfiguration? Remember Jesus said in Mark 9:1:

"And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

mailman writes: "Jesus showed His disciples [in a vision] a fleeting glimpse of the power of the Kingdom – how the Kingdom could make Elijah and Moses, who were both dead and buried, be with Jesus, alive and in a glorified condition.

“And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.” (v. 3-4).

It was the power of God’s Kingdom to resurrect Moses and Elijah that really got the attention of Christ’s disciples: “… they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.”"

REPLY: But Jesus said they would see the kingdom come before they tasted death. He did n’t say a fleeting glimpse of the kingdom. He said they would see it come.

Quote:
As for heaven that too is part of the church. After all the church is the Body of Christ and the saints in heaven are certainly in the Body of Christ.

mailman writes: “No saint is in heaven. As Christ said, “NO MAN hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man” (John 3:13).”

REPLY: If no saint is in heaven then who are the heavenly saints that accompany Jesus at his Coming? When Jesus spoke John 3:13 there were no heavenly saints. Note also that Jesus is speaking in the past tense. No man had ascended to heaven because Jesus didn’t pay the price yet. The OT saints were in “the bosum of Abraham”

Mailman writes: "Heaven IS NOT the Church and is also NOT the Kingdom of God. Heaven existed eons and eons ago; the Church was founded only recently; while the Kingdom is yet to come. “Our Father, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, hallowed be thy name, THY KINGDOM COME…”

REPLY: Heaven always existed but since Adam and Eve sinned man was barred from it. The Kingdom will be shared by men with God as it was intended from creation.

mailman writes: "Christ will eventually deliver the Kingdom of God to the Father: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (I Cor. 15:24). But the Father is already in heaven for, “I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; FOR IT IS GOD’s THRONE” (Mat. 5:34). "

REPLY: Every kingdom has a king who sits on a throne. Heaven and the church are no different.

 

[JesuisSean]

May I offer that you are both right. It is the mission of the Church to buildup the Kingdom of God BY leading souls to salvation.

allow me to point you to the Catechism starting at paragraph 541 Of particular interest might be paragraph 550 which says:
The coming of God’s kingdom means the defeat of Satan’s: “If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Jesus’ exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons. They anticipate Jesus’ great victory over “the ruler of this world”. The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ’s cross: “God reigned from the wood.”
(Bolding mine)
Read through the section and see if it helps.
Peace
James

THE ONLY BARRIER present at this time is the fact that mankind insists that less than truth is more truthful than truth itself.
As you know, one is only dependent upon a belief if one is located at a distance from the truth and thus is located within a zone of less than truth.

At this time, religious " Believers" place their beliefs first in line in their decision making, yet it should be obvious that the truth itself, meaning the truth that these beliefs point toward, is that which sits first in line. The idea that less than truth is to be ranked as truth, thus be placed above the actual truth, is a serious mistake. If you had ALL the facts, you would not be dependent upon beliefs, for you would be in direct contact with the truth.

As I said, one need only practice a belief if one is located at a distance from the truth. Thus if the actual truth is placed directly in front of the nose of a believer, it is immediately redefined as being something else altogether, and this is done such that a distance between the believer and the truth is restored, such that the act of practicing beliefs is once again restored. However, in doing so, one has tossed the actual truth out the window.

Thus the world still is as it is. Man refuses to move across the gap that sits between beliefs and the truth. Thus the world is still not pure.

It’s like being at the grocery store and telling the person at the cash register that you believe that you can pay them for the groceries that you have selected. “Belief is enough.” you say. The cashier on the other hand says " That’s all very nice sir, I too believe that you probably have the money on you, but I need the cash to be truly handed over to me.". And then you respond, “But I am obsessed with beliefs. I stick to my beliefs like glue. I must therefore avoid any direct contact with the truth, for if I do make contact with the truth, I can no longer practice my beliefs since I will NOT be located at a distance from the truth.”.

AND SO WE ARE STUCK IN A BIT OF A JAM since man can be deceived if man is not in touch with the truth. Thus in turn, man continues to give Satan power.

 

[JesuisSean]

Come near to God and he will come near to you. JAMES 4:8

Or stick to beliefs and thus remain at a distance from the truth, and thus from God

 

[rdscheirer]

If we all did what Jesus told us to do-love God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbor as yourself- wouldn’t that be heaven on earth?