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What Is God’s Kingdom?Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course
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LESSON 31
What Is God’s Kingdom?
The main theme of the Bible has to do with God’s Kingdom. Jehovah will use that Kingdom to accomplish his original purpose for the earth. What is the Kingdom? How do we know it is ruling now? What has it already accomplished? And what will it do in the future? This lesson and the next two lessons will answer those questions.
1. What is God’s Kingdom, and who is its King?
The Kingdom is a government set up by Jehovah God. Its King, Jesus Christ, rules from heaven. (Matthew 4:17; John 18:36) The Bible says of Jesus: “He will rule as King . . . forever.” (Luke 1:32, 33) As King of God’s Kingdom, Jesus will rule over everyone on the earth.
2. Who rule with Jesus?
Jesus does not rule alone. Persons from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation . . . are to rule as kings over the earth.” (Revelation 5:9, 10) How many will rule with Christ? Since Jesus came to earth, millions of Christians have become his followers. But only 144,000 of them go to heaven to rule with Jesus. (Read Revelation 14:1-4.) All other Christians on earth will become citizens of the Kingdom.—Psalm 37:29.
3. How is God’s Kingdom superior to human governments?
Even when human rulers try to do good things, they do not have the power to do everything they want. They are eventually replaced by other rulers who may not have the best interests of their subjects in mind. But the Ruler of God’s Kingdom, Jesus, will never be replaced by anyone else. God has “set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44) Jesus will rule over the whole earth, and he will not show favoritism. He is loving, kind, and just, and he will teach people to treat one another in the same way—with love, kindness, and justice.—Read Isaiah 11:9.
DIG DEEPER
Consider why God’s Kingdom is better than any human government.
4. A powerful government will rule over the whole earth
Jesus Christ has more power to govern than any ruler in history. Read Matthew 28:18, and then discuss this question:
How is Jesus’ authority superior to that of any human ruler?
Human governments change often, and each one rules over only a portion of the earth. What about God’s Kingdom? Read Daniel 7:14, and then discuss these questions:
Why is it good that God’s Kingdom “will not be destroyed”?
Why is it good that it will rule over the whole earth?
5. Human rule must be replaced
Why must God’s Kingdom replace human governments? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
What has been the result of human rule?
Read Ecclesiastes 8:9, and then discuss these questions:
Do you think God’s Kingdom should replace human governments? Why?
6. God’s Kingdom has rulers who understand us
Because our King, Jesus, lived as a human, he can “sympathize with our weaknesses.” (Hebrews 4:15) The 144,000 faithful men and women who will rule with Jesus have been chosen by Jehovah “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”—Revelation 5:9.
Do you find it reassuring that Jesus and all of his corulers know what it is like to live as a human? Why?
Jehovah has chosen men and women from all backgrounds to rule with Jesus
7. God’s Kingdom has superior laws
Governments make laws that are supposed to benefit and protect their citizens. God’s Kingdom too has laws that its citizens must follow. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and then discuss these questions:
What do you think the world will be like when everyone follows God’s rules of conduct?a
Do you think it is reasonable for Jehovah to expect citizens of the Kingdom to respect these rules? Why?
What shows that people who are not obeying these laws can change?—See verse 11.
Governments enact laws to protect and benefit their citizens. God’s Kingdom has superior laws to protect and benefit its citizens
SOMEONE MAY ASK: “What is God’s Kingdom?”
How would you answer?
SUMMARY
God’s Kingdom is a real government in heaven that will rule over the whole earth.
Review
Who are the rulers of God’s Kingdom?
How is God’s Kingdom superior to any human government?
What are some things that Jehovah expects of citizens of the Kingdom?
EXPLORE
Consider what Jesus taught about the location of the Kingdom.
Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses choose loyalty to God’s Kingdom over loyalty to human rule?
Examine what the Bible reveals about the 144,000 whom Jehovah chooses to rule with Jesus.
What convinced a woman in prison that only God can bring about a just world?
“How I Found the Answer to Injustice” (Awake!, November 2011)
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What It Means to Be NeutralEnjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course
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LESSON 45
What It Means to Be Neutral
Jesus taught that his followers should be “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) This includes being neutral—not taking sides in the world’s politics and wars. Realistically, it is not always easy to be neutral. We may be ridiculed because of this. How can we stay neutral and remain loyal to Jehovah God?
1. How do true Christians view human governments?
Christians respect the government. We do as Jesus said and “pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar”—that is, we obey the laws of the land, such as those that require us to pay taxes. (Mark 12:17) The Bible teaches that human governments rule only because Jehovah allows them to rule. (Romans 13:1) So we recognize that human governments have only relative, or limited, authority. We look to our God and his heavenly Kingdom to solve mankind’s problems.
2. How can we show that we are neutral?
Like Jesus, we do not get involved in politics. When the people saw one of Jesus’ miracles and tried to make him their king on earth, he did not let them. (John 6:15) Why not? Because, as he later said, “my Kingdom is no part of this world.” (John 18:36) As Jesus’ disciples, we show our neutrality in a number of ways. For example, we do not go to war. (Read Micah 4:3.) We respect national symbols—such as flags—but we do not worship them. (1 John 5:21) And we do not take sides for or against any political party or candidate. In these ways and others, we show that we are completely loyal to God’s government—his Kingdom.
DIG DEEPER
Examine situations that may test our neutrality, and see how you can make decisions that will please Jehovah.
3. True Christians are neutral
Jesus and his followers set the example for us. Read Romans 13:1, 5-7 and 1 Peter 2:13, 14. Then, play the VIDEO and discuss the questions that follow.
Why should we respect secular authorities?
What are some ways we show that we are in subjection to them?
In times of war, some nations may claim to be neutral, but they assist both sides in the conflict. What is real neutrality? Read John 17:16. Then, play the VIDEO and discuss the question that follows.
What does it mean to be neutral?
What if secular authorities demand something that conflicts with God’s law? Read Acts 5:28, 29. Then, play the VIDEO and discuss the questions that follow.
If there is a conflict between human law and God’s law, whose law should we obey?
Can you think of any circumstances in which Christians would not obey secular authorities?
4. Be neutral in thought and action
Read 1 John 5:21. Then, play the VIDEO and discuss the questions that follow.
In the video, why did Ayenge decide not to join the political party or participate in nationalistic ceremonies, such as saluting the flag?
Do you think that he decided wisely?
What other situations can test our neutrality? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the questions that follow.
How can we remain neutral when it comes to international sporting events?
How can we remain neutral even if we are personally affected by the decisions of politicians?
How could the news media or our associations affect our neutrality?
In what areas must a Christian remain neutral in thought and action?
SOMEONE MAY ASK: “Why don’t you salute the flag or sing the national anthem?”
How would you respond?
SUMMARY
Christians work hard to be politically neutral in their thoughts, words, and actions.
Review
What do we owe human governments?
Why do we remain politically neutral?
What situations can test our neutrality?
EXPLORE
What sacrifices may we need to make in order to remain neutral?
What can families do to prepare in advance for tests of their neutrality?
Why is defending one’s country not the highest honor a person could have?
Consider how to remain no part of the world when making decisions about your employment.
“Each One Will Carry His Own Load” (The Watchtower, March 15, 2006)
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