In John 3 we have one of the most profound ministrations in scripture and the first teaching in the gospel of John, where Nicodemus visits Jesus and the first thing Jesus says is:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, He cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3.

so therefore a man that is born again can SEE the kingdom of God, if you say you are born again, have you seen the kingdom of God?

We have heard that verse quoted a lot of times but do we truly understand why Jesus responded to Nicodemus this way, first let's consider what Nicodemus said, so as to understand what BEING BORN AGAIN means and what SEEING THE KINGDOM OF GOD MEANS

Ok, now in John 3:2; The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God.

We see that Nicodemus came to see Jesus and claimed to know who Jesus is, obviously coming by night meant he wanted to know more about Jesus, but what he said about WE KNOW and what people should know needed clarification.

So let's consider another verse in the gospels that mentions the kingdom of God to understand why Jesus responded so.

But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:27
{Now the death spoken of here is the first death that happens to ALL men (including Elijah and Enoch). VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Those who see the kingdom of God after they die here on earth will not be able to enter it }

Now the statement in Luke 9:27 began from verse 18 as Jesus asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

Just like Nicodemus, people didn't really know him, even though like many today, they had heard of him, they had heard of a man called Jesus they still didn't know Him.

What does knowing who Jesus really is, have to do with the Kingdom of God?

After Jesus makes the statement in all three gospels (Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27), the story of the transfiguration is told.

Studying the recorded event of the transfiguration we notice something that the two men, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory spoke of Jesus's death Luke 9:31

In fact, in Luke 9:22 we note that after peter states who Jesus is, Jesus speaks to them about his suffering, death and resurrection.

What does Jesus's Death have to do with the Kingdom of God? In fact why does knowing who Jesus is also have to do with knowing that he had to die?


Side Note: Now a kingdom is a king's dominion and domain, that is a where a king's authority is, not necessarily where a king is but where his authority and people are. In the book of Mark, Jesus began by declaring that the Kingdom of God is at hand

Now in John, Jesus begins by stating those who can SEE that kingdom before He mentions those who can ENTER into that kingdom.

Now back to the question what does Jesus's death have to do with the Kingdom of God and what does it really mean to be born again to see that kingdom?

NOTE: Seeing the kingdom of God is seeing the revelation of who Jesus is. For the kingdom of God is the revelation of His Christ.

THE PROCESS OF BIRTH

We know that a kingdom is made up of people who are under the authority of a king. Most times these people are either related by blood or by law. Now Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom of God is at hand, and not that the king is at hand so we note that seeing the kingdom isn't necessarily seeing the king. Therefore we can say if it was about seeing King Jesus, Peter won't have written
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Peter 1:8
Nor would Jesus have said blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:29

{Note: Jesus didn't come to be seen, He came to die and we must understand why. Hint can there be a king without a kingdom or a king without a people }

Be Born again
Illustration: Being born is the process of birth, which opens the eyes of a baby to a new world. In this case that process makes one see the kingdom of God and like Nicodemus next question in John 3:4 states that process is dependent not upon the child but upon the mother.

On the subject of being born again Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

By the word of God is shows there is something the word of God does that brings about us being born again (more than Him healing, teaching or doing miracles). Just before Peter states we are being born again, look at what he writes in verse 19 the precious blood of Jesus 20. REVEALED/MANIFEST 21. Raised up from the dead, now verse 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit {remember the beatitudes: blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Also notice the term OBEYING THE TRUTH not the law of moses but the commands of Christ}

Also notice the phrase through the Spirit {Jesus said in John 3:6 the Spirit gives birth to spirit therefore since the word of God is the incorruptible seed, then the spirit is the passage }

When Peter identity Jesus has the Christ, Jesus responded that such a revelation of who he is doesn't come from flesh and blood but by the Spirit. Then Jesus explains what it meant to be the Christ - It meant he had to die (and understanding that revelation was important hench the transfiguration, in which we read a command - Luke 9:35 Listen to Jesus)

You see like Nicodemus and the others, you can call him a teacher, a miracle worker, a prophet, a healer, an incarnation but except you have received the revelation from the Spirit that Jesus is the Christ Son of the living God, and understand that the Son of man suffered, died and came back to life you are not being born again.

It's interesting when you view it as this:

Nicodemus says you're a person from God and Jesus responds you cannot see someone who is of God if you yourself are not born again

For the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. ( lol, what mother won't know her own children)

Those who are not born again, cannot see the kingdom of God.

Those who are born again are those whom the blood of Jesus purchased.

Let us understand what John wrote in his books 1 John 5:8 the three that bear witness in the earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood. All agree in one.

After Jesus said except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. He later mentions except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5

We see that being born again means being purchased by the blood of Jesus, the gospels, the letters, the scriptures and even revelation all agree to this. Even before being born of water and of spirit, we should be born of His blood.

It is this blood that PURIFIED us (not purifying but purified) as I wrote in my earlier post, that is purchased.

So except a man be purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ he cannot see or perceive the kingdom not to talk less of enter it.

Without death of Jesus, the shedding of His blood, there would be no revealing of the kingdom of God. This is why Matthew mentions the veil in the temple that tore, for the death of Christ tore the veil and not His resurrection.

Jesus died so that we can see. Note that it is said that through Jesus life came but through another man Adam death came. Now remember Adam ate a fruit and their eyes were opened, and they saw a kingdom they later entered.

Our birth is dependent on Jesus Christ. Since we can't give birth to ourselves, we can but verify our birth. If we have been purchased by his blood and that is did we or do we see the kingdom of God
Being born again is the effect of Jesus's death on the cross and that death made the kingdom of God "visible".

The Kingdom of God is where His authority the Holy Spirit is, and the people purchased by Christ's blood is. Now the Kingdom of God being the revelation of Christ and the revelation of Christ is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit (like at the baptism of Jesus) which reveals who Christ is, along with His people who proclaim Him.

Note: Anything that happens that reveals Christ is an act of the Holy Spirit.

And you being born means you can see the kingdom of God, that is, perceive the Holy Spirit and see the people of God revealed by the Spirit (like Peter, James, John saw Jesus, Moses and Elijah).

Even though they saw the transfiguration they didn't understand what it meant, Mark 9:10, because they were not yet born again, only until Jesus had died and resurrected did they understand. (John 20:9 they did not understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead). They saw the kingdom of God in acts 2 (the manifestation of the Holy Ghost) and just like Jesus said the kingdom of God comes with power so also the Holy Ghost came with power.

In Luke 17:20 Jesus says the kingdom of God doesn't come with careful observation

Let's look at John 3:8 to understand what that means, Jesus says those born of the Spirit are like the wind, one cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going, so observing is a waste of time.

Now back to Luke 17 verse 21, because the kingdom of God is within you, that is the people of God are among you.

I would like to state that the kingdom of God is defined by the Holy Spirit and that in fact the Holy Spirit is the Kingdom of God.


Now can anyone who hasn't seen the Kingdom of God, or let me say perceived the Holy Spirit say they are born again or purchased by the blood of Christ Jesus.

This was the sign to Peter in Acts 10:44 that the gentiles saw the kingdom of God, and received the revelation of Christ's death and resurrection, meaning that Jesus's blood purchased those who were not Jews as well.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

What does it mean to seek the Kingdom of God? Jesus once said seek and you shall find, so what does it mean to seek?

Because the kingdom of God is so important that it is even in the Lord's prayer and it is the first thing we ask for even before asking for God's will to be done in earth.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10

I stated earlier that the kingdom of God, is God's authority which is the Holy Spirit and a kingdom is made up of people.

When we hear a phrase like, establish your kingdom here on earth o lord, it means establish your people and let your Holy Spirit (your authority) remain with us.

To understand what I mean by God's authority is the Holy Spirit, study Matthew 21:23-27 and Jesus also said, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."
Matthew 12:28 (like I wrote in the previous post the manifestation of the Holy Spirit which reveals Christ is the kingdom of God)

Some might tell you giving to your church is seeking the kingdom of God but that's not true. Seeking the Kingdom of God has nothing to do with religion or religious establishment. In fact those thins are the exact opposite of seeking the kingdom of God.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17

Meaning that the kingdom of God is not religious but righteousness. The above verse in Romans could be read as the kingdom of God is in the Holy Ghost. The things you experience and see in the Holy Ghost.

The previous verses before Matthew 6:33 agree with Romans 14:17

From verse 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Up to we shouldn't worry about what to eat, drink or wear and final verse 34; Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

To seek the kingdom of God is to abandon the cares of life. So much so that when a rich young man came to Jesus, Jesus told him the same requirements as he told his disciples as well, of which the rich man went away because he couldn't let go of the cares of life. Jesus said something profound.

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:24

Notice Jesus says enter into the kingdom of God, Jesus wants us to enter into the Kingdom of God but we cannot enter if we don't seek it or see it.

Jesus gave us hope by saying, what is impossible for man is possible with God. It is impossible for us to save ourselves or separate ourselves from what we need to but God enables those he has chosen to save, for it is not in man to save himself nor to abandon earthly things and seek God.

The gospel of the kingdom of God.

To seek the kingdom of God is to see it(after it's been revealed to you) and proclaim it.

In Mark 4 (and Matthew 13) we encounter a parable that sheds more light on what 1 Peter 1:23 refers to as being born of incorruptible seed - which is the word of God.

From verse 3 to 8 Jesus spoke the parable then he begins to explain it to those around him who asked him about the parables

And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mark 4:11

To know a thing hidden, is to have it revealed to you and it is NOT revealed to those who DON'T belong to the kingdom of God.

Verse 12: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

So though they(not purchased by Jesus's blood) look for the kingdom of God they won't see it nor perceive it

But even those Jesus was talking to didn't understand the parable because He had not yet died and the Holy Spirit had not be given to them.

Now Jesus refers to the farmer (the Father) who sows the word (Yeshua Christ). We also read that those who don't believe the word of God because they lack understanding (that is the seed which dies so as to abide with many), those who get offended at persecution due to believing the word, and those who the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and lustful desires for worldly things are those who unfruitful.

And Jesus says
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Matthew 21:43 (the YOU there refers to the religious Jewish people, while a nation there refers to the people of Christ)

Bearing fruit (the fruit of the Holy Spirt, that is the fruit of the Kingdom of God) is so important that Jesus says: And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Mark 9:47

If an eye offend you (or a foot), meaning what what ever is shown to you(especially by those revealing to you the kingdom of men) that won't let you bear persecution separate yourself from it (the foot - is whatever relationship, the hand - whatever job or work). Two eyes, one seeing the kingdom

We read in 2 Thessalonians 1:3-5
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

Jesus's assignment when he first came wasn't to be king but to be killed, when he comes again it will be as a king. Even His message was first about the coming kingdom before the prophecies of his return as the coming king.

The primary job of an evangelist is to proclaim the kingdom of God, and not material or earthly things. To proclaim love to a world filled with lust, to proclaim love for enemies, the holiness of God, giving to the poor, not holding onto worldly things or worshipping money. Proclaiming that there is only one God, and one Savior for mankind. To proclaim the message of the blood of Jesus, to the ends of the earth, the blood shed for the consequences of our sin.

This love accepts us, us, who have left the cares of life, us who were chosen by God, removing the enmity we had towards Him. The blood takes away the punishment due to us, the blood doesn't make you never make a mistake nor does it change the mistakes we have made.

The blood doesn't take away our sinful nature it takes away the consequences before God for our sins. Unlike the animal sin sacrifices done to atone for our misdeeds, Jesus died to make a permanent atonement for His people.

But even though those purchased by the blood bear no consequences before God, if you offend your brother or sister God will correct you as a father. You won't go to hell but here on earth the consequences of your actions will be met, that is why the apostles taught us how to relate properly with one another because God is a just God, the blood frees us, purchased by the blood, from God's wrath but on the earth we must love one another, whatever is done to anyone, even the least in God's kingdom will be rewarded be it now or in after life.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Mark 10:13-15

{Well we have to be born before we become children , we have to see before we enter }

And He lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke 6:20

When we are born, we own nothing and more than that those born in the spirit, who are poor in the spirit, the kingdom of God belongs to them.

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.
Matthew 18:3-5

Now still on the kingdom of God, I stated that the kingdom of God is made up of God's authority which is His Holy Spirit, who reveals the Christ that is the revelation of His Christ, and made up of the people of God who receive that revelation, people purchased by Jesus's blood.

I have focused on us seeing and seeking the kingdom of God, and not the kingdom of men.

In Luke 13:18-21 Jesus refers to the kingdom of God that it will grow and spread, that is the Holy Spirit will spread the revelation of what Jesus did, along with the people of God.

Now you understand what and who the kingdom is, so when you read:

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.

You understand that those who are of God have always been persecuted and suffered violence. Those in religious circles usually refer to themselves has the violent. Because there are two kinds of people, those of God's kingdom (relationship and righteousness) and then the violent people of the world's kingdoms (religious)

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