Lesson 22
CITIZENS AND ALIENS
Table of Contents
– A Brief Review
– The Gospel of the Kingdom
– The Kingdom Within
– Into the Kingdom
– Citizens of the Kingdom
Scriptures Cited:
2 Peter 1:11, Matthew 16:13-20, Matthew 4:23-24, Mark 1:14-15, Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 24:12-14, Luke 17:20-21, Matthew 23:26, Romans 14:17, Colossians 1:12-13, Colossians 2:6-14, Galatians 3:27, Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:1-6, Ephesians 2:8, Ephesians 2:11-22, Matthew 22:1-14, Acts 2:38
As we begin this lesson (as with all lessons), I ask that you engage your mind and spirit with the Word of the Lord and His Spirit, to truly understand and grow from what He has spoken to us through His Word.
A BRIEF REVIEW
In putting this lesson together, it became apparent that not only does it tie in with the previous lesson, but it also has parallels with current events going on in the world today. Remembering the last lesson, we focused on ‘making our calling and election sure’. We primarily looked at things from the perspective of Peter, who gave instruction for us as Christians to ADD to our faith in 2 Peter. He went on to say that by doing this, “…an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:11)
We then looked at the scriptures where Peter answered an important question that was asked by Jesus to His apostles, “Who do men say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-20) There were three main things that we learned from this interaction:
- The revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
- This revelation is the rock that Jesus would build His church upon
- Jesus would give Peter the keys to the Kingdom
In that lesson we saw that the Kingdom and the church are somewhat synonymous terms. This was shown to us in Acts chapter 2, when Peter used those ‘keys’ to bring people into the church, or God’s Kingdom.
Continuing now into this lesson, “Citizens and Aliens” our focus will be on this Kingdom which Jesus established – His church. We will use scripture to quickly lay a foundation about this Kingdom, that will hopefully help us gain a better understanding of what we need to do to enter into and remain in His Kingdom.
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
We will begin in the book of Matthew, in chapter 4. And you may remember that Matthew chapter 4 is where Jesus was being tempted by the devil after He Himself was baptized. These temptations were the starting points for the lessons “Stone, Word, Bread”, “Tempting God”, and “What’s it Worth?” After Jesus overcame the temptations, He began calling His disciples, which would later be His apostles. In verse 23 of chapter 4 we see the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
Matthew 4:23-24
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
So, from the beginning we see the message that Jesus actually preached. He preached the gospel – here it is recorded as the “gospel of the Kingdom.” We see this referred to throughout the New Testament, sometimes simply as “the Kingdom” as we see here. In other verses it is called “the Kingdom of Heaven”, or “the Kingdom of God.” These are all just different ways of saying the same thing. But here it says that after being tempted, Jesus began preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.
Next, we will go to another one of the gospel books to see how these same events are recorded there. In the beginning of the book of Mark, we see the exact same context described in chapter 1 (after the baptism of Jesus and the temptation in the wilderness). And when we get to verse 14 it reads:
Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
We are still just laying our foundation here. And once again you can see that after His temptation, in the beginning of His ministry, the actual message that He preached was the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Next, we will learn a bit more about this Kingdom by going to the end of the book of Mark. In Mark chapter 16 after His death, burial, and resurrection we see Jesus speaking to His apostles just prior to His ascension. In verse 15 He says:
Mark 16:15-16
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Often times this verse will be read without considering what the gospel is that is being spoken of. When He says “preach the gospel”, we have to keep in context what that gospel actually is – it is the same gospel that we read about in the beginning: the gospel of the Kingdom.
And we can see this further by going to the 24th chapter of Matthew. Like I said, we are still laying a foundation here that will help us understand more about this Kingdom. We previously looked at these verses in the “Love Based Salvation” lesson, when Jesus was asked by His disciples about His second coming and the end times. And now we will view these verses with our focus on the Kingdom. Beginning in verse 12 we read:
Matthew 24:12-14
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
So, we can see that the gospel which Jesus was talking about when He said ‘Go preach the gospel’ (Mark 16:15) – is the gospel of the Kingdom. And here He said that it must be preached throughout the whole world, and then the end will come.
THE KINGDOM WITHIN
What I want to do now is go to the book of Luke in the 17th chapter. And we are going to see a little more about this Kingdom which Jesus said was now here, or ‘at hand’. This is after Jesus had healed a group of lepers and was now being questioned by the Pharisees. Starting in verse 20 we read:
Luke 17:20-21
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
It is interesting to note that some versions like the CSB and NIV translate this as the Kingdom is “in your midst”. This has led some people to think that the only meaning of this is… since Jesus ‘the King’ was there amongst the Pharisees, then technically the Kingdom was in their midst. But to be sure that we understand the literal meaning here, let’s look a little bit deeper into the original Greek text, when Jesus says “…behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.”
The word “within” in verse 21 is translated from the Greek word ἐντός or “entos”. The ‘root’ of entos, is “en”, which literally means “in”. And to help us get a better understanding of this word entos, let’s look at the only other place in the New Testament where it is used. In Matthew chapter 23, we see it used in a different context. Jesus again is speaking to the Pharisees, and we read in verse 26:
Matthew 23:26
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
In this verse, the word ‘within’ is the same word (entos) that Jesus spoke in the book of Luke when He said ‘the Kingdom of God is within you’. Using this example of cleaning a cup… when Jesus says ‘within’, He is literally talking about cleaning the inside of the cup. So, that word ‘entos’ in Luke 17:21 lets us know that the Kingdom of God is literally within us.
This is similar to what Jesus said about His relationship with the Father – He said ‘I am in the Father and the Father is in Me’. And likewise with the Kingdom, those who belong to Christ are in the Kingdom, and the Kingdom is also in them. We gain even more understanding about this from what Paul writes regarding the Kingdom, in Romans chapter 14 verse 17:
Romans 14:17
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
In this verse, the Greek word used for ‘in’ is ‘en’, which again simply means ‘in’. And now we can see that there is a connection between the Kingdom and/or the Holy Spirit (it is within). Just as much as we are in the Kingdom, the Kingdom is in us.
INTO THE KINGDOM
Another place where we gain important understanding about the Kingdom is in Colossians chapter 1 and verse 12. It reads:
Colossians 1:12-13
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
So here again we see Paul talking about this Kingdom. And he explains to the church in Colossi that because of what Christ has done, the faithful saints have been translated into the Kingdom. And when we go to the original Greek text of this verse, the word ‘into’ is the word ‘eis’ as opposed to ‘en’ or ‘in’. The word ‘eis’, meaning ‘into’, lets us know that there is a movement from being outside of the Kingdom and then coming into it.
As we read further into chapter 2, Paul explains how the church in Colossi received Christ, and therefore were ‘translated’ into the Kingdom.
Colossians 2:6-14
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Note: Paul then gives the conclusion…
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Here you might notice in this passage of scripture, the many times the word ‘in’ (en) is used. This emphasizes the position of the church at Colossi, after having been translated into the Kingdom. They had received Christ and are now in Him.
We also see Paul using similar language when writing to the church in Galatia. In Galatians chapter 3 verse 27, we read…
Galatians 3:27
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
And that word ‘into’ here is the same Greek word ‘eis’. Into Christ. And as mentioned above, we are translated into His Kingdom.
An interesting sidenote about the word ‘eis’ (into) is when it is used in other verses related to baptism and the name of Jesus Christ:
- Matthew 28:19 – The Great Commission
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in (eis – into) the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: - Acts 8:16 – The Gospel believed in Samaria
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in (eis – into) the name of the Lord Jesus.) - Acts 19:5 – Paul in Ephesus
When they heard this, they were baptized in (eis – into) the name of the Lord Jesus.
Although most Bible translations fail to translate ‘eis’ as “into”, when read literally – it clears up many misconceptions about the formula of baptism. But more on that some other time.
We now have a pretty good foundation laid for understanding the Kingdom of God and even how to come into the Kingdom. And remembering the title of this lesson “Citizens and Aliens” we will begin to see how this coincidently relates to some of the events going on in the world today. Many nations are addressing their immigration laws due to large numbers of migrants seeking to enter in, whether it be ‘legally’ or ‘illegally’.
So keeping that in mind, and realizing that God has also set up His own Kingdom – we will continue on, looking at what it means to be a citizen in His Kingdom – The Kingdom of God.
CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM
Paul gives one of the best explanations of citizenship in the Kingdom in his letter to the Ephesians. In chapter 2, Paul goes into detail on the benefits and blessings that come with being a citizen in this Kingdom (to read about when the Ephesians came into the Kingdom, see Acts 19:1-6).
You may remember, we have already looked closely at Ephesians 2:8 (“saved by grace through faith”) in the Grace pt. 1 and 2 lessons. Now we will look at what Paul wrote a few verses after that. Beginning in verse 11, it reads:
Ephesians 2:11-22
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Note: So, you see here he is saying – for those Gentiles, they were outside of God’s Kingdom. They had no hope; God had only made His covenant with the Jews. And in that condition being outside, Paul referred to them as “aliens”. And then in verse 13 he says:
13 But now in Christ Jesus
Note: And there’s that word ‘in’ again…
ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
So, you can see that what Paul was explaining here is that the Kingdom which God set up… is in Christ. And in Christ there is no Jew, there is no Gentile – but we are all one in Him. And by being in Him, we then have access to the Father. But when a person is outside of Jesus Christ, they would still be considered a foreigner to the Kingdom – or as said in verse 12, a stranger and alien.
As a comparison for us in America, imagine that you have a neighbor who is very patriotic. This neighbor may celebrate the 4th of July and can even have an American flag in their front yard. And every time you wave to them, they say ‘God bless the USA’. Even though they are technically living in the U.S… if the census bureau or immigration agents were to show up asking for proof of citizenship, none of those other “signs” would be considered as proof of citizenship. It would all depend on how they actually came into the country.
Even though someone might truly love the United States, considering it to be a good country; even if they want to come and be a productive member of the society, they would have to follow the proper legal process to truly become a citizen. If someone were to enter in any other way than what has been established as the legal process, though physically in the country they would not be considered a citizen, but an alien who is in the country “illegally”.
We will see this type of scenario in one of the parables told by Jesus where he likened the Kingdom to a king that made a marriage feast for his son. In Matthew chapter 22 we will see that not everybody who comes to the Kingdom is necessarily a “citizen”. Beginning in verse 1 we read:
Matthew 22:1-14
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
Note: Though this is the parable of ‘the wedding feast’, we can see that what Jesus is truly speaking about, is the Kingdom… the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a marriage feast.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Here Jesus says that the original people who were invited to this feast did not come. These are generally understood to be people of Israel, Pharisees and religious authorities at that time. They were the first to be called, but they rejected the invitation. Next, we are told that the call went out to everyone. The servants went out and called as many as they could to come to this wedding.
When the wedding was full of guests the King came in, but He saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. The word used in verse 11 for ‘having on’ a garment comes from a specific Greek word used in regard to clothing – endyō, defined as:
From en and duno (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively) — array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.
This is the same root word (endyō) that Paul used in Galatians 3:27, “as many of you as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ”. So what Paul was saying is that when we are baptized into Christ, we are literally putting on Christ as a garment – being clothed in Him. That is the wedding garment we will need to be “dressed” in for this feast (the Kingdom of Heaven).
So, when the king saw a man who had answered the invitation, but was not clothed properly, one question was asked: How did you come in, not having a wedding garment? This parallels with the example of the neighbor being asked for proof of citizenship. Here in the parable we see that when the ‘guest’ was unable to provide an answer for how he came in, he was thrown out immediately.
By this, we can see the importance of coming into the Kingdom ‘the right way’. There are many examples of the ‘immigration process’ throughout the book of Acts. And in Acts chapter 2, we have a clear example when Peter first used the keys, showing people ‘this is the way into the Kingdom, this is the way to become a citizen.’ He told them “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”(Acts 2:38)
That is the ‘immigration process’. It is how to go from being an outside alien to being a citizen in the Kingdom. It is obviously based on the love of God and our love for Him. It is based on our faith and belief in Him, as well as our obedience to the commands which He has given.
So, we will leave it there for this lesson. Keep in mind that the topic of the Kingdom of God is quite extensive and it is difficult to condense all of it into one lesson. The Kingdom is what Jesus came preaching from the beginning of His ministry until His last message to the disciples before He ascended.
I am sure that some aspects of the Kingdom will come up as we continue into future lessons. Nevertheless, if you are someone today who has not come into the Kingdom of God, hopefully this lesson has helped your understanding of the Kingdom and how to come into it according to scripture. Though there are many “churches” everywhere, the question is: Are you truly a citizen of the eternal Kingdom that Jesus Christ has established?
Contact us if you have questions regarding any of the lessons or what to do in order to enter His Kingdom. In Jesus’ name.
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