Topic: The Kingdom of Christ

Luke 23:42 > Matthew 16:28 > Colossians 1:12-13 > 1 Nephi 13:37 > Ephesians 5:5 > Romans 8:14-17 > Ephesians 1:18-22 > Matthew 28:18 > John 1:12 > John 3:35 > John 6:37 > John 16:15 > John 5:18 > John 10:30-38 >John 17:20-22 > The Acts 17:28-29 > 2 Corinthians 3:18 > Galatians 4:7 > Ephesians 4:11-15 > Doctrine and Covenants 76:50-60

In a previous Scripture Train, Requirements for Salvation, we spoke of salvation in the kingdom of God.  The scriptures also speak of salvation in the kingdom of Christ. We see references to the kingdom of Christ in, Luke chapter 23 verse 42, Matthew chapter 16 verse 28, Colossians chapter 1 verses 12 and 13 and 1 Nephi chapter 13 verse 37. In Ephesians chapter 5 verse 5, Paul equates the kingdom of Christ with the kingdom of God; indeed, they are the same kingdom. We see from these verses, something we should already understand, and that is that Jesus Christ is an heir of God and of all things. Paul teaches this doctrine in Romans chapter 8 verses 14 through 17. Not only does he teach that Christ is an heir of God, he teaches that all those who become children of God, all they who are led by the Spirit of God and all those who have suffered with Christ, are heirs with Christ. Paul spoke of the richness and the glory of this inheritance to the Saints in Ephesians chapter 1 verses 18 through 22. In these verses, he also spoke of God setting Christ at His own right hand in His kingdom. From these verses of scripture, we learn that the kingdom of Christ is the kingdom of God, He having inherited all things from His Father. Then we learn that we who are His children, will also inherit all things in Christ; let’s examine this a little further.

In Matthew chapter 28 verse 18, Christ states that all power is given Him in heaven and earth. Emphasis needs to be placed on the word ‘all’. In John chapter 1 verse 12, we learn that all who receive Christ and believe in Him, are given power to become the sons of God. It should be noted here that they are given power to become; it does not necessarily mean that they will. To know why, refer back to the Scripture Train on Salvation. In John chapter 3 verse 35, we see that God gave all things into His hand. In John chapter 6 verse 37, we see that Christ knows that all the Father has promised Him will come; then in the next phrase, we learn that all who come unto Christ will receive His promises. He says this by saying they will not be cast out; it is obvious that the intent of His saying is that He will do the same for them. In John chapter 16 verse 15, we can infer the same doctrine. All things that the Father hath are Christ’s; then says Christ that the Father will take all of those who are His children, and show all these things to them. Why would He do this? Because, eventually all these things will be our inheritance as well. 

In John chapter 5 verse 18, the Jews accused Christ of making Himself equal with God by saying God was His Father. If this is the case, then obviously, the Jews understood what it meant to be called a son! In their ancient laws the oldest son would inherit all of his father’s worldly possessions, thus becoming equal with his father, almost as it were, becoming his father; in our case, we have the same potential as Christ to become equal with God as we follow His example in all things. We start on the path as we become the sons and daughters of God through believing on Jesus Christ and being baptized in His name, thus taking upon ourselves His name. In John chapter 10 verses 30 through 38, this same doctrine is once again taught by Christ; He states, “I and my Father are one”. He says, “Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” This teaches that just as Christ and the Father are one, we, His sons and His daughters, also have that potential. Why would God and Christ go to all this tremendous effort to bring us back into their presence if it were not for the fact that we are God’s children and we do have potential to become as He is? This is what all these scriptures are teaching us! In John chapter 17 verses 20 through 22, Christ prays that we may be one in them as they are already one in each other. We are taught this doctrine in The Acts chapter 17 verses 28 and 29, we are God’s offspring! In 2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 18, we will be changed into their image, from glory to glory! Paul teaches the Galatians in chapter 4 verse 7 that if we are a son, or a daughter, of God, then we are an heir of God, through Christ. Paul teaches the Ephesians in chapter 4 verses 11 through 15, that Christ is a perfect man and that we, through our unity of faith can obtain the same measure, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Finally, in the Doctrine and Covenants section 76 verses 50 through 60, we learn the characteristics of those who will inherit all things and become gods, even the sons of God.

The Jews of Christ’s day thought it blasphemy for Him to teach that He was the Son of God, equal to God. So why do the Christians of our day, think it blasphemy for the sons and daughters of God, to know they can become like Christ and God?