Understanding the Kingdom of God and the Church of Jesus Christ

As we embark on this study, there are certain things that we need to first establish. Here are five things that I believe the book of Revelation is about:1. Revelation is the most Biblical book in the Bible.2. Revelation has a system of symbolism.3. Revelation is a prophecy about imminent events - events that were about to break loose on the world of the First Century.4. Revelation is a worship service.5. Revelation is a book about dominion.Also, we have to study The Revelation as a part of the entirety of Scripture and not as a separate book on its own. It ties in beautifully with the rest of the Bible and Israel's journey. So, as we study the prophecy within this book, we will see how it ties in with Jesus' prophecy recorded in Matthew 24 and many of the words spoken directly to the tribes of Israel. It was a powerful and very relevant book for the First Century Church and gives us today a clear picture of God's way of dealing with His people. When approached from this point of view, fresh realms of understanding will herald some fresh and powerful truths for us today.Also, we need to bear in mind that the Bible is a record of Two Covenants; the Old Covenant which had a shelf life and was destined to come to an end. And then we have the New Covenant which is eternal and as such will never end. It has been eternally established by our King and Lord, Jesus the Christ. We need to add to this the understanding that the entire cannon of Scripture was written prior to AD 70.

Whenever we hear about the "end-times" or the "last days," it conjures up all kinds of images in our minds. We may think of the universe blowing up with the largest flame imaginable, ushering in a new heaven and a new earth. We have presupposed in the body of Christ that the righteous will be raptured away before all of this occurs, leaving the world to face a massive fire of destruction.Upon hearing Christians mention the last days, many just assume they're referring to the end of time, and the end of the world. But the attentive Bible student will ask, "The last days of what?"It seems obvious to me that the text is referring to the end of the Old Covenant-Temple aeon/age. When you read the New Testament through this lenses, all I can say is, "Wow!" It makes a significant difference when you read the Scriptures with the realization that the Bible was written for you, not to you.We need to also understand that "time of the end" and the "end of time" are not one and the same. The Bible teaches about the "time of the end," but nothing is taught about an "end of time."

When you hear the word Zion, what comes to mind? As Christians, we've sung the choruses and the hymns about Zion or Mount Zion, but do we fully understand just what we're singing about? Do we know what it is? The Bible promises the full restoration of Zion, and if we don't fully know what Zion is, what then do we anticipate in terms of its restoration?The greatest hindrance to accurate interpretation and application of Scripture is a futuristic view of Scripture. This futuristic view continues to rob the Believer of experiencing God in His fullness in the here and now.In this book, we will uncover within the Scriptures exactly what Zion actually represents to the New Testament believer. So lay down any preconceived ideas you may have, delve into the pages of this book, and let it speak truth to you.

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This book is a game changer and will teach you what it means to be part of This Kingdom.--Pastor Marilyn Bailey, Teleios Church, Johannesburg, South AfricaThere is perhaps no greater time to revisit the spiritual and practical understanding of the kingdom of God than right now. Apostle Scantlebury addresses and corrects, common misconceptions, explains the contrasts in the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, properly aligns the Kingdom and the Church, and propels us toward a holistic understanding of Kingdom life in the earth.With great patience and clear articulation, Apostle Scantlebury lays out a compelling case for the people of God to give priority to understanding and walking in the principles of the Kingdom of God in life and ministry.Do yourself a favour; set aside some time to read through and study this transformative volume. You will be challenged, changed, and equipped to be a proper representative of the kingdom of God.--Apostle Eric L. Warren, Eric Warren Ministries, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

We are all in transition. It's a natural phase of life for us. Transitions can take many forms, as I am sure you've experienced yourself.Transitions build stories and reveal the history of our lives. They happen whether you desire them to or not. There is no way around them unless you are dead. So, if you are choosing life, anticipate and prepare for transitions. They are coming and will come again.According to the dictionary, a "transition" is a Movement, Passage, or Change from One Position to Another. The word "transition" is often used in human services to refer to the general process of someone moving, or being moved, from one set of services or circumstances to another.As Christians, each transition period we go through, God is leading us to ensure that we come into the fullness of all that He has promised in and through our local houses/churches. This leading He does with the many local houses/churches across the earth that are also experiencing various transition periods! However, I believe that there are dangers to be aware of in this journey as we stride towards our destiny.Every leader regardless of his or her calling in life will experience seasons of transition. We make the common assumption that once we've arrived at a certain place that we are beyond being tested. It is not so! Those who serve closest to a leader when in transition must know how to stick in both good and bad times. Times of certainty and times of uncertainty.It is my earnest prayer that this book will aide you in your times of transition!