"Kingdom" Versus "Kingdom Now"
By Robert Burgess

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:14-15).”

The other day I was called upon to explain the difference between the “Kingdom Movement” and what is termed “Kingdom Now;” The difference is that Kingdom folks believe that the Kingdom of God in the Holy Ghost is a present reality, but that there is much more to be fulfilled on a personal level which Jesus provided for us. The “Kingdom Now” people believe that they have it all now, that it is all finished, done and over with for them; They are in the Most Holy Place (they claim) and seated at the “Right Hand of God” right now. They are deceived in this, much like the Baptists are deceived into thinking they received the Holy Ghost at their conversion experience. A good understanding of the pattern of the Tabernacle of Moses is an absolute necessity in rightly dividing the Word as to where we are in the plan and purpose of God at the present time. This understanding could be called, or termed as “Present Truth (See 2 Pet 1:12).” The “Kingdom” people believe that the Feasts of the Lord reveal a Prophetic Message, much like the Tabernacle in it’s layout and dimensions, confirms the same Message from a different viewpoint.

The feast of Passover speaks to us of the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; The feast of Pentecost, fifty days later speaks of the outpouring and infilling of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the “Passover (Now Pentecostal)” believers. Now Passover was a prerequisite to Pentecost, just as Pentecost is a prerequisite to Tabernacles. The feasts of Passover and Pentecost were fulfilled on the literal day, so it stands Scripturally, that the Feast of Tabernacles will be fulfilled on the literal day. The feast of Tabernacles is the only Old Testament Feast which has yet to have a New Testament fulfillment.

The “Kingdom Now” people believe somehow that they have already entered into the Feast of Tabernacles, and that they are presently enjoying the Full benefits of the Most Holy Place. As I said, the Baptists are into the same type of error when it comes to believing that they are enjoying all the benefits of the Spirit Filled Life without having been to a personal “Pentecost.” The Bible is literally full of Prophesies concerning the Feast of Tabernacles which have yet to be fulfilled; One such passage is:

“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor 15:51-54).”

Almost any Bible Scholar with a halfway decent understanding of the Old and New Testaments will tell you that this is a reference to the Feast of Tabernacles, or as it is sometimes referred to: the “Feast of Trumpets.” This feast occurs at the end of the “Ecclesiastical Year,” and at the beginning of the Jewish “Secular Year (Jewish New Years).” This also goes along with the idea of the “Jubilee” which takes place every 50th year in the Jewish economy; It is at the sounding of the “Jubilee Trumpet” that all those who are in debt are released from any and all financial obligations to their creditors. In other words, when this last trumpet sounds, we will be no longer indebted to the natural laws of corruption and death. Death will be swallowed up in the Victory which Christ won for us long ago, but which we have not yet fully realized, not having yet partaken of the Feast of Tabernacles - The Feast of Immortality. Eternal Life was purchased and attained to at Passover, The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit and all that pertains to the Spirit filled life was purchased at Passover and is attained to at Pentecost. Immortality was purchased at Passover and is yet to be attained to at the Feast of Tabernacles. Things like the “Manifestation of the Sons of God,” The “Double Portion” of the Spirit, the “Spirit without Measure,” etc. must be earnestly Contended for by those who endeavor to be Overcomers in the Kingdom of God! - These have not, and will not be fulfilled until the Church has attained to the Feast of Tabernacles and entered into the “Place Most Holy” in the economy of God. Can we see why the error of “Kingdom Now” must be recognized and dealt with firmly by those who realize and understand the truth of these things?

At present, there are so many arguments going on concerning points of Doctrine that should have been settled long ago, had these “Kingdom Now” people really attained to what they think they have. Beloved, if we were in the “Most Holy Place” in the fullness of the Presence of God, there would be no doubt or confusion over any points of “Doctrine” at all; Paul said it this way:

“For now (in the Pentecostal realm - 2nd Heaven) we see through a glass, darkly; but then (In the Feast of Tabernacles - 3rd Heaven) face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Cor 13:12).”

May the Lord add his blessing to this Word;

Robert Burgess
5/9/2000

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