Two Countries

As God established world order, He gave Adam and his wife dominion, authority, and power to rule this new colony. However, their dominion was soon hijacked and taken over by Satan. These conditions existed until Jesus came on the scene about four thousand years later. During this time, God released His laws into the world through His anointed servants. He gave the law to show people when they were sinning. All had sinned and came short of the glory of God. With this knowledge of sin, God also told people how to live without sinning. No one was successful in pleasing God with their conduct, and all were sent to hell, either paradise or the lower regions, including Enoch and Elijah. Both left the earth going into the sky (Heavenlies) on their way to hell. Heaven in the Old Testament means sky, not God’s home. Depending on its use, Heaven could have represented God’s home or the sky in the New Testament. Heaven, meaning God’s abode, was never used in the Old Testament because one could not possibly go there.

Matthew 4:17 KJV

(17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

I want to paraphrase this verse and perhaps come to a better understanding of the power and meaning of it.

Repent: Change your way of thinking. It is no longer about your conduct; it is about aligning your mind with the mind of God.

Romans 12:2 KJV

(2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Philippians 2:5 KJV

(5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand: I have brought you a new government and King. This Heaven is the place of God’s home and His rule. I will establish it within you.

Luke 17:21 KJV

(21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The manifestation of the Kingdom of God---rule of God---within us is the Kingdom of Heaven. The constitution ruling the Kingdom of God is the New Testament, and the constitution governing the Kingdom of Darkness is the Old Testament. Both constitutions are secured by blood covenant and, therefore, established forever, but we cannot live under both governments simultaneously. We must decide our allegiance and declare it publicly. Today, God gives us our choice. We can live under the government of law, or we can accept and live under the grace of God, but not both at the same time.

Matthew 12:30 KJV

(30) He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

This statement Jesus made is very divisive. It means we cannot claim the benefits and blessings of the Old Testament without incurring its penalties. Remember, Noah, Daniel, Jabez, David, Solomon, Isaiah, and all others of the Old Testament went immediately to Paradice, the place of God’s presence in the upper regions of hell. Satan is tricking many into claiming the benefits of the Old Testament---like tithing--and being separated from life in the Kingdom of God in the New Testament.

Please ask yourself, “Am I seeking the Kingdom of God and apprehending His righteousness with every fiber and strength of my being as Jesus commanded?” If you are not, then you are not following Him because that is where He went.

Matthew 11:12 KJV

(12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

According to Jesus, the people who attain Kingdom living take it by force. Are you one of them?