Page 64 - The Christian Life and the Church Life_Government of God

The Church as the Kingdom of the Son of God’s Love 63

is very delightful. It is the church of the Son of His love. It should be full of
joy, joy in the Holy Spirit. It is not joy in the flesh, but joy in the Holy Spirit.

The footnote of Revelation 1:6 is also on the kingdom:
The believers, redeemed by the blood of Christ, not only have
been born of God into His kingdom (John 3:5) but also have been
made a kingdom for God’s economy. This kingdom is the church
(Matt. 16:18-19). John, the writer of the book, was in this kingdom
(v. 9), and all redeemed and reborn believers also are a part of this
kingdom (Rom. 14:17).
One of the main aspects of this book is that God is recovering
His right over the earth in order to make the whole earth His
kingdom (11:15). When Christ came, He brought the kingdom of
God with Him (Luke 17:21; Matt. 12:28). This kingdom has been
enlarged into the church (Matt. 16:18-19), which will accomplish
the establishing of the kingdom of God on the whole earth. On
one hand, the kingdom of God today is in the church, but on the
other hand, the kingdom of God is coming through the overcoming
believers (12:10). Then Christ and the overcoming believers will
reign over all the nations in the millennial kingdom (2:26-27; 12:5;
20:4, 6). (Rev. 1:6, footnote 1)
This is the kingdom that we are talking about.
THE BIBLE FIRST PRESENTING THE KINGDOM AND
THEREAFTER PRESENTING THE CHURCH; THE PRESENCE OF
THE KINGDOM PRODUCING THE CHURCH
The Bible first presents the kingdom and thereafter presents the church;
the presence of the kingdom produces the church. In Matthew 4:23, when the
Lord Jesus came, He proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom. In Matthew 16,
He talks about the church. That is why we say the Bible presents the kingdom
and thereafter presents the church.
THE KINGDOM BEING THE REALITY OF THE CHURCH;
THEREFORE, APART FROM THE KINGDOM LIFE, OUR NOT
BEING ABLE TO LIVE THE CHURCH LIFE
The kingdom is the reality of the church; therefore, apart from the
kingdom life, we cannot live the church life. Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed