In today's society when someone says the word world we might picture a blue planetary globe hanging marble like in the blackness of space as photographed from the moon but when the gospel was preached the perceptions and viewpoints of men had not reached such astronomical heights. There are five different words in the New Testament that are translated into the single English word 'world'. Which one was used here?
Was it the word aeon? 'Aion' means an unbroken age and is far more often translated into variations of the word age.
Another Greek word used is 'oikoumene' which originally meant "the portion of the earth inhabited by the Greeks, in distinction from the lands of the barbarians" it commonly has to do with inhabited places including Israel. Kind of a home town world. But it does not mean planet..
The word 'ge' is also translated world once but is translated earth about 188 times, land 42, ground 18, and country 2 times. This is the closest word to meaning planet earth that you will find in the text. If you were to say I am from the United States you would not be using the word. If you said you went all over the continent or even the whole planet and have seen its mountains and valleys, deserts and rich farmland, then the word 'ge' might be appropriate. But 'ge' is not the word used to demonstrate Jesus statement about Hhis kingdom not being of this world.
And there is the word 'erets' from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; It is translated land 1543 times, earth 712, country 140, ground 98, world only 4 times, way 3, common, field, and nations once each , for a total of 2504. It means 1) land, earth, soil.
So, what word did the author use to describe the world that Jesus Kingdom was not of?
The word 'world' in John 18:361 is translated from the word 'kosmos' which means "an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government." It appears to have come from the word komizo meaning "to care for, take care of, provide for" or "carry off what is one's own," which is what governments and the organized systems of men like Nimrod, the king of Sodom, Pharaoh, Caesar and even social Democracies have done for centuries.
On the other hand the phrase Basileia Ouranos is the Greek words translated "Kingdom of Heaven" and is only found in Matthew. Matthew wrote in Aramaic. In translating from Aramaic to Greek the word malkuthach becomes basileia ouranos, or kingdom of heaven. It actually means a realm on the earth or a dominion or jurisdiction. The word ouranos in the book Plato’s Dialogues, Early Greek Philosophy is translated world, not some mystical ethereal or spiritual realm called ‘heaven’. John Burnet states in the introduction, "…indeed we have no suitable word to express what the Greeks at first called an ouranos. It will be convenient to use the term 'world' for it".
The Kingdom of heaven can mean the Kingdom of the world since the same word is commonly translated world by Greek scholars. Ouranos, is from a root word meaning “to cover, encompass.” The meaning of ouranos includes the "vaulted expanse of the sky", from the outer edge of the atmosphere to the center of the earth. Many other cultures believed that if a man actually owned the land as a true and actual dominion then he owned it from the sky above all the way to the center of the earth. This is clearly expressed in the maxim of the Roman law:
“He owns the land from the heavens and to the center of the earth.”*
Redemption
“Redemption is deliverance from the power of an alien dominion and the enjoyment of the resulting freedom. It involves the idea of restoration to one who possesses a more fundamental right or interest. The best example of redemption in the Old Testament was the deliverance of the children of Israel from bondage, from the dominion of the alien power in Egypt.”2
When Jesus was born, Augustus was the Emperor of Rome.
"He [Augustus] was now, to quote his own words 'master of all things,' and the Roman world looked to him for some permanent settlement of the distracted Empire. His first task was the re-establishment of a regular and constitutional government, such as had not existed since Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon 20 years before.'
Jesus was not a part of that constitutional order of Rome. His kingdom was not a part of that world order. Because the Romans had been invited into Judea to settle a civil dispute over who was the rightful king, the Romans needed to be satisfied as to who was King. Not because that kingdom of God was under Rome, but for the same reason Peter had to pay the coins from the fish. Because he said his master paid the tax, even though he did not have the authority to do so, Jesus told him that he should pay it so as not to give offence.
Rome had not conquered Israel at that time. but had been invited in to settle a civil war between two brothers who were battling over who should be king. Back in 66 B.C.when, Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II, were playing Cain and Able over the Kingdom of God on earth there was a civil war. One brother got the bright idea to invite Pompey, his Roman legions and their benevolent aid to assist in the settlement of this internal dispute.
Rome was asked to come into the remnant of the kingdom of Israel. They were even paid by Aristobulus. Aristobulus had made the request acording to international law to that days UN forces which consisted mostly of Rome.
Many countries accepted Roman aid and were required to pay into the Roman effort of Pax Romana in the form of tribute or excise tax. These agreement were by application and treaty. They created mutual legal obligations and bound Rome to keep world peace by force if necessary.
Aristobulus gained Pompey's favor by giving him gold, but when Pompey investigated after complaints and more appeals from Aristobulus he found that Hyrcanus had a better claim and was the rightful heir according to the law of Israel. It is important to note that Rome was a government of laws and understood law. It did not simply impose its personal whim, but through the reason of right and wrong they decided disputes based on the basic laws of man and the specific customs and ordinances of individual countries.
Aristobulus and his supporters ended up hidingout in the temple and the people needed help getting him out. Pompey removed Aristobulus' the usurper and his adherents, the Sadducees, who still occupied the Temple illegally. He was assisting the supposed lawful holder of dominion in Israel/Judea, Hyrcanus. It was not Hyrcanus who appealed to Rome, but his followers the Pharisees.
First Aristobulus then the followers of Hyrcanus appealed to Rome for the establishment of their king's dominion. Jesus would not do this. If His kingdom was of the world of Rome his people would fight as Romans do, in the courts of Rome.
His kingdom was not of the constitutional order of Rome and its international world ordered empire. The authority of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth was the Father in Heaven, the Father of Adam and Noah and Abraham.
Jesus would neither appeal to Rome, nor their courts, nor by their customs and law would he seek security or protection. That would be a violation of the commandments for the king. Neither israel or its king could make subjecting agreements with other nations without violating the law of God.
“Protection draws to it subjection; subjection protection”3
The Pharisees appealed to Rome to get rid of Jesus, but Jesus would not appeal to that government to get rid of the Pharisees,claimed king Jesus had the authority to fire those who were abusing their office as government servants by forcing the offerings of the people contrary to the ways of God. This firing of the porters of the temple was done with a string whip by the right of the king since the days of Samuel4 and as the "highest son of David".
The people were now free to make up their own mind as to who would minister the government of God.The did this according to their tens, fifties or hundreds, and thousands.5 Some chose to stay with the Pharisees, forced taxes, guaranteed benefits and entitlements like Corban, its central treasury and exercising authority of top down government and many other programs that were common among the Romans but never apart of the kingdom. Other people chose Christ and expressed their national fidelity to that king by being baptized and were excluded from the bondage of Herod and the Pharisees and therefore of Rome.
Jesus had appointed his own followers to do those jobs once done by the Pharisees and Sadducees, porters, and ministers of the kingdom. This was done as a truly free government under the "perfect law of liberty" and the restrictions directed by Christ. After Pentecost we see them taking on that job once held by the Pharisees working daily in the temple and tending to appointing new gatekeepers or porters to tend to the "bank" of the kingdom and the distribution of the daily ministration.
An important point to note here, one that binds the old and new world orders in a covenant of blood is by what authority was the world of Rome in Judea. They had developed a commercial interest and many of their corban and corvee ways had been adopted and intermingled with the life of the Jews. But was there a political right to decide the kingship of Jesus?
Since, neither Aristobulus nor the followers of Hyrcanus had the right to invite Pompey and his troops into Judea then Rome's claim to be there came into serious question.
Some make an issue of the Romans defiling the temple but that was not the great downfall of that Herodian temple. The defiling of the temple was really done when Zacharia was murdered not when Rome entered. This was the issue voiced by Jesus the King but asking Rome to enter or even aid in clearing the temple was a clear breach of trust and a violation of the law of God. Not so much by Rome but by Hyrcanus' followers as well as the appeals of the Sadducees and Aristobulus. Yet, it cannot be denied that their appeal was always without authority.
It is very clear that Jesus came to bring the kingdom of Heaven on earth in the flesh, in Spirit and in Truth, but because of this one word 'world'
People cling to the idea:
...that they can swear oaths to Roman type governments, [Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all;....:]
...that they can apply and pray to those government for benefits, [Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.]
...that they can vote to exercise authority over their fellow man Luke 22:25 The kings of the Gentiles ..exercise authority upon them .... But ye shall not be so: Matthew 20:25, Mark 10:42
...that they can and do covet what belongs to others through taxation, [Free education, free health care, free protection and social security at the expense of your neighbor. ]
...that they can send the sheriff out to rob widows and orphans with force, legally with inheritance and property taxes. Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
...that they can pay a stipends to their temple called the Capitol and leave the care of the father and mother to others [Mark 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, [It is] Corban, ... Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.]
And that it is all okay because we are going to go to heaven when we are dead. [Matthew 22:32 ... God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.]
Such ideas have made us dead already.
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. Luke 9:60
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5
Many think Jesus is coming to rule over us in some far off kingdom thousands of years from when he said the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The kingdom was then and now. Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
People live in such darkness and deception they cannot see the reality of God's Kingdom as a real and present jurisdiction.
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.Revelation 18:23
Almost everyone today is a member of a constitutional order very much like Rome.
Rome vs. US
http://www.hisholychurch.net/sermon/romeus.HTM
People like to think they believe in Jesus but they put their trust and faith in Rome, their wealth in Rome, their Children in Rome. They bind themselves daily by word and deed to the Kingdoms of the world that are in opposition to the Kingdom of God. They say they are loose to serve God in Heaven but most of their labor and lives and the lives of their children serves another king and ruler, one chosen by The Voice of the People.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19
What you bind on earth is bound in Heaven and what is loosed on earth is loosed in Heaven. You are bound by The Covenants of the gods.
No servant 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. Luke 16:13
"Mammon, an aramaic word mamon meaning 'wealth' ... It is probably derived from Ma'amon, something entrusted to safe keeping. In any case there was apparently a threefold play on this meaning in Lk. xvi. II: 'If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true [riches]?' the word italicized representing forms of the Semitic root word 'amen."
Money vs. Mammon
http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/movma.htm
This entrusted wealth is what all of Rome and the world order today is based on. It is a Cestui Que trust. Men don't own their land, the true title is held in trust. Men do not own their cars. Men do not own their labor. Men have a legal title but that does not include ownership and the beneficial use by the definition of the word. God gave us dominion but man has not 'kept it'.
Men have sold it for the promises of men.
Law vs legal
http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/lvl.htm
Men have all returned to Egypt and Rome.
Employ vs. Enslave
http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/eve.htm
Men do not even own your children by the law polity written in your governments.
Holy Matrimony vs marriage
http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/mvm.html
And men now claim their citizenship in Rome not in the Kingdom of heaven. In the law it is not what is said but what is done.
Citizen vs. Citizen
http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/cvc.htm
Men may say you serve the God in Heaven but you actually serve other gods.
There are gods many
http://www.hisholychurch.net/sermon/theosgod.HTM
Jesus has provided a way out of this dilemma since his kingdom is still at hand. You cannot have two masters. John did not invent Baptism. Such washing had been a part of Hebrew tradition since before Abraham and was done at Sinai and throughout Israelite history. It was old testament stuff.
Most people think you enter the Kingdom of Heaven by baptism of water and a profession of faith. Well maybe? But what and whose Baptism? What profession of Faith? And in faith inhat god?http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/kingdom/5kbaptize.HTM
"Augustus was sensible that mankind is governed by names; nor was he deceived in his expectation, that the senate and people would submit to slavery, provided they were respectfully assured that they still enjoyed their ancient freedom."7
The same is true today. People like to think they are free and are assured in every media they are. But is it true or merely what they would like to believe. How would the kingdom of God differ from the ways of the world?
The technical nature of the Kingdom
In brief
Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.
The soldiers were not baptized because they were under oath to another king. But they could put on the character of Christ and when the unrighteous mammon failed they would be ready to enter the kingdom. Baptism was a jurisdictional act of allegiance.6
"...In 20-19 B.C.E. Herod the Great set in motion plans to make the Jerusalem Temple the largest and most magnificent religious building in the world. The platform on which it stood, built with huge blocks of stone, stretched a quarter of a mile long by a fifth of a mile wide. Gleaming god plates were set up in the inner courts. From its ramparts silver trumpets heralded each dawn. Twenty thousand functionaries were employed in its servicing, and a further sixteen thousand craftsmen and laborers were drilled as construction and refurbishing teams that would be kept occupied for three quarters of a century." 8
"Outside Palestine he [Herod] subsidized games and festivals. And everywhere he provided water; his palaces were supplied by aqueducts, as were Caesarea and Jerusalem (impressive remains are still visible at both). Not only cities, but also the countryside benefited from improved water supplies; thanks to improved irrigation, the kingdom became much more productive agriculturally. And when famine struck at home, Herod supplied grain from his own funds."9
Herod had sent out those Essene missionaries and Pharisee teachers who supported his idea of a vast kingdom of God on earth. It was a system of social security and commercial affluence. He was very successful and built the temple in Jerusalem and many more in other countries. It was a "Great Society".
"Jerusalem was a major city in a cosmopolitan culture. It contained not only the Temple, but also a large arena for chariot and horse races (a hippodrome), a stadium for athletic contests (a gymnasium), and massive Theaters." 10
"The aim of gaining six hundred thousand members to form a New Israel was to be achieved by a project of evangelism lasting forty years, the first generation of the millennium."
"The missionaries... with their leather wallets full of white stones, would come back with the same wallets full of money, in foreign currency. Once put into Jewish currency by the money-changers, it would be stored in vaults, ready to be used by Herod for his vast building projects, or any subsequent causes."
"Herod's scheme of initiation into a new form of Judaism was immensely successful. Jews everywhere were willing to join the worldwide society whose meetings were held in the evenings in private houses. Entry was for members only; they had to show at the door an admission token in the form of a white stone from the river Jordan which the missionaries gave them at baptism. On the stone was written their new Jewish name."11
People needed to be entertained, lulled with security, excitement and pleasured into pacification. Most people did fine under Herod as most people do fine under existing governments of the world today. Business was good, money flowed and success and prosperity was common if not just around the corner.
John the Baptist's version of the kingdom of heaven was decidedly different than Herod's. You joined Herod's social security system and were forced to contribute annually. If you joined John's you lived by the perfect law of liberty, by faith, hope and charity. There was a network of authoritarian benefactors in the system of Herod, but in John's there was a network of congregations who shared with each other.
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Luke 3:11
Those who were cast out of the system of the Pharisees were able to enter into the system of Christ. This liberty they enjoyed required a responsibility of mutual love. But it sustained them through jealous persecutions and the collapse of the Empire.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: Galatians 2:4
You can serve the kingdom without being one of the citizens but you cannot be an official of the kingdom without leaving the other nations. If the kingdom is real then it must be technically real. Jesus demonstrated that over and over. Many are believers and cannot enter the kingdom because they are not free to leave the kingdom they are in nor can they be a part of the Church.
Freemen who are elders of families in the kingdom could also be considered part of the ekklesia because they are the electors but they would not be a part of the office that was appointed because it was in them as heads of household that the state rested. The family is the building block of the kingdom.
The Church as a mere servant of the King must not be a part of any kingdom at any time. It simply cannot be anymore than a woman may be of more than one husband or an ambassador can represent more than one kingdom. The Church is the Bride of Christ. They only hold title for the husband and therefore have no dominion. Like the Levites the Church is the possession of God through Jesus Christ instead of Moses or King David.
A Free elder has dominion over himself and his family and servants. Those subject in other kingdoms are of no part of the Church but they may be of great faith as the centurion and be entitled to service by the Church and fellowship and friendship and blessing and will undoubtedly be ready to receive when they can be made free.
1 Corinthians 7:21 Art thou called [being] a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.
The Church is for a purpose.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10, 11
The Church must be out of other kingdoms of the nations because the Church members are public servants first but they are also brethren. Ultimately all will be called out in Spirit and Truth, at least when the mammon fails if not sooner. The Church is not in a position of power or authority but a serving brotherhood. They must serve in a real way. They give up their freedom and freedom and estate so that others may be free. The Church does not own itself nor do the people own the Church. The Church is the result of Charity. Its minister give, the congregation give because God and His son has given.
International law is changing so that all may leave the kingdoms they are bound in and enter the kingdom of Heaven established on earth. This does not seem far off and will be clear at that time by the signs foretold. There has been some complaint as to how cryptic I am but Jesus was cryptic and evasive until the proper time when it is given to know. God will tell you what I do not say, if he wants you to know. It is on our site, it is in our books and tapes and it is in the Bible. God must right it on your hearts and upon your minds and then you shall be his people and he shall be your God.
