In the Scriptures we find Jesus repeatedly referring to one particular subject–the Kingdom of God (Mat. 4:23). When asked by His disciples to teach them how to pray, He began by humbly reminding the Father of His holiness. That done, He then spoke to Him about His kingdom which was at that time in heaven but would one day be established on earth. By voicing his priorities in prayer, Jesus makes clear to us how important the Kingdom of God was to Him as a man and, in that He does not change, how important it is today. The gospel of the kingdom was His message to mankind. Throughout His short ministerial tenure He spoke often to His disciples about the kingdom, telling them to preach it throughout the world until His return to earth to establish it. His and their message was of a two-fold nature. The first consideration involved the kingdom itself–what it would be like, where it would be headquartered, etc. See The Kingdom of God.

His second emphasis concerned how to enter into it upon His return. It was this second phase that He and His apostles spoke of extensively. This stands to reason, for what benefit is it to know about a treasure if one does not know how to obtain it. A starving person, knowing with certainty that there is food in the room before him, will starve to death if he does not know the location of the door (Jesus-Jn. 10:1-9). Though the Kingdom of God is available to one and all, only a few will choose to enter its strait (difficult) gate and walk its narrow (restrictive) way leading to life (Mat. 7:13,14)–go through the Door of the sheepfold. The Scripture-dictated ministry of God’s messengers involves telling true God-seekers how to qualify to enter that future kingdom. Much time and effort has been expended in teaching the readers of this website how to do so. Only time will tell if my efforts have borne fruit.

Satan is the master of confusion. One of his most powerful tools involves feelings. Because man places a great deal of emphasis on feelings, the devil uses them to direct the paths of religious people–“If it feels good I must be pleasing God.” See I’m Okay; You’re Okay. I am sure that Adam and Eve felt wonderful as they walked toward the forbidden tree. Cain could virtually hear God’s praise as he approached Him with plants in hand. Balaam felt equally euphoric as he traveled to meet Balak. No doubt Judas walked with a lightened step on his way to the Temple. As Ananias and Sapphira brought their offering to Peter they undoubtedly felt a warm glow in their chests. All these people had one thing in common–they felt wonderful while doing Satan’s bidding. They all “knew” that they were pleasing God because of the pleasure they felt. “I know I’m saved” is the mantra heard repeatedly when confronting people with the Word of God that contradicts most of what they believe. In these cases there is total reliance on feelings as God’s Word is discarded.

One of the problems I encounter when putting forth the Word of the Lord is religious man’s tendency to confuse pleasure with joy. They are two distinctly different emotions generated from two distinctly different sources. Pleasure is a physical and/or emotional response to a flesh-centered sensation. Joy is a spiritual reaction to a spiritual sensation.

Pleasure can be generated by watching something that is pleasing to the eyes, or by experiencing something that is sensuous to the flesh. Pleasure can be gained by buying a new car, winning a game, reading a book, watching a child at play or listening to music. Pleasure can also be experienced by going to church, hearing a pleasing sermon, preaching, serving on the mission field, etc. One famous woman declared publically that she cried with joy each time she tithed to her church, not knowing that she was helping to finance Satan’s religious system. Her church is specifically condemned in the Scriptures. Nevertheless, she felt euphoric each time she donated to it. Such is the nature of the pleasure–a sensual reaction to having completed a physical act. Hers was not a joyous sensation. Apart from God, one cannot experience joy, for “… the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and JOY” (Rom. 14:17). Note that in this passage describing God’s kingdom, pleasure is not mentioned. The Kingdom of God can only be entered by walking in righteousness (obedience to God’s Word), which brings forth peace and joy. Satan’s religion involves only pleasure, which he has successfully substituted for joy in the lives of the religious masses. Pleasure is his reward for involving themselves in his religion. To be continued. L.J.