Church and The Kingdom
I was reminded today that "The Church" is not "The Kingdom," in that "The Church" is comprised of forgiven sinners, but the Kingdom of God is made up of NEW CREATURES. The Church consists of all unto whom the righteousness of Christ has been imputed by faith. But the Kingdom of God is inherited by those who actually overcome the fallen adamic nature. These are they who can then continually and consistently DO the will of the Father. Jesus said that it is not every one who says "Lord, Lord" who shall enter the Kingdom, but it will be the ones who come to the place of actually DOING the will of the Father (no longer exercising self-will) who shall enter.
Let's look at it this way...
Our experience in the Church is a prerequisite for our inheritance in the Kingdom. This, of course, is the very reason why the Holy Spirit testified to each of the seven Churches in the book of Revelation, "To him (in the Church) that overcomes will I give power over the nations ... to him (in the Church) that overcomes shall I grant to sit with me in my throne, etc., etc., etc."
This, beloved, is showing us that it is the processing in THE CHURCH REALM that qualifies one for a place of reigning in the Kingdom. This is saying, beloved, that reigning in the Kingdom of God is the outcome of a Church that has followed on to know the Lord in the power of His resurrection, through the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed unto HIS DEATH!
This, of course, all has to do with the Two Works of the Atonement, and the fulfillment of the Autumn feast Tabernacles. I'll leave y'all to seek the Lord for further insight into these things. Thanks for putting up with me and my evening musings here. God bless ya.