the gospel of the kingdom …blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [matthew 5:7 -...

The

Gospel of the

Kingdom

…blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [Matthew 5:7 - 3 Nephi 5:52]

By

Seventy

James Noland

2010

I am the Beginning and the End; the Almighty God.

By mine Only Begotten I created these things. [Genesis 1:2]

Yea, in th

e beginning

I created th

e heaven,

and the earth

upon

which thou st

andest.

[Genesis

1:3]

And the earth was without form, and void; and I caused darkness to come up upon the face of the deep.

[Genesis 1:4]

And my Spirit moved upon the face of the waters, for I am God.

And I, God, said, Let there be light, and there was light.

[Genesis 1:5-6]

And I, God, saw the light, and that light was good. And I, God, divided the light from the darkness.

[Genesis 1:7]

And I, God, called the light day, and the darkness I called night. And this I did by the word of my power; and it was done as I spake. And the evening and the morning were the first day. [Genesis 1:8]

And I have given unto you another law and commandment; wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God. [Genesis 6:59]

…blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [Matthew 5:7; 3 Nephi 5:52]

…no unclean thing can dwell there (the kingdom of God), or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name; and the name of his Only Begotten is the son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous judge, who shall come in the meridian of time. [Genesis 6:60]

The Meek shall inherit the earth.

The Repentant shall inherit the

Kingdom of God.

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 1:12-13]

For evildoers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. [Psalm 37:9]

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. [Psalm 37:11]

For such as be blessed of Him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off.

[Psalm 37:22]

But blessed are the poor, who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite,

for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs; [Sec 56:6a]

…for, behold, the Lord shall come, and his recompense shall be with Him, and He shall reward every man, and the poor shall rejoice;

and their generations shall inherit the earth from generation to generation, for ever and ever.

[Sec 56:6b]

Behold, blessed, saith the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments; for they that live shall inherit the earth, and they that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them, and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them;

[Sec 59:1a]

yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel, for they shall

receive for their reward the good things of the earth; [Sec

59:1b]

and it (the earth) shall bring forth in its strength; and they shall also be crowned with blessings from above; yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time; they that are faithful and diligent before me. [Sec 59:1c]

The words of God which he spake unto Moses, at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceeding high mountain, and he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.

[Sec 22:1]

…and there is no end to my works, neither to my words; for this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality, and eternal life of man.

[Sec 22:23b]

Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you, is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead. And the spirit and the body is the soul of man.

And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul; and the redemption of the soul is through him who quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed, that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.

[Sec 85:4a-4b]

Therefore, it (the earth) must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory; for after it (the earth) hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;

that bodies who are of the celestial kingdom may possess it for ever and ever; for, for this intent was it made and created; and for this intent are they sanctified.

[Sec

85:4c-4d]

And again, verily I say unto you, The earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law.

Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstand- ing it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it:

[Sec 85:6a-6b]

But He (Jesus Christ) said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, for therefore am I sent.

And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. [Luke 4:43-44]

And I give unto you a commandment, that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the

kingdom; teach ye diligently and my

grace shall attend you, that you may

be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all

things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that is expedient for you to understand; [Sec 85:21b]

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [John 3:3]

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

[John 3:5]

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 16:20]

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them, and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation;

Neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, Lo, there! For, behold, the kingdom of God has already come unto you.

[Luke 17:20-21]

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

[Romans 14:17]

The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth; [Sec

65:1b]

pray unto the Lord; call upon his holy name; make known his wonderful works among the people, call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth; [Sec 65:1d]

that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth; [Sec 65:1e]

wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, may be glorified in heaven, so on earth, that thy enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power, and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. [Sec 65:1f]

…that they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry; in theory; in principle and in doctrine; in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you.

[Sec 94:3d]

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and he gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. [Luke 9:1]

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. [Luke 9:2]

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face, into every city and place where he himself would come. [Luke 10:1]

And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you; [Luke 10:8]

And heal the sick that are therein, and say, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. [Luke 10:9]

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like?

and whereunto shall I resemble it?

[Luke 13:18]

It is like a grain of mustard, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

[Luke 13:19]

And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

[Luke 13:20-21]

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field;

But while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

[Matthew 13:22-23]

But when the blade sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

So the servants of the house-holder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares?

He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

[Matthew 13:24-26]

And the servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

[Matthew 13:27]

Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the wheat into my barn; and the tares are bound in bundles to be burned.

[Matthew 13:29]

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field. And when a man hath found a treasure which is hid, he secureth it, and, straightway, for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. [Matthew 13:46]

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels; but cast the bad away.

[Matthew 13:48]

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man, an house-holder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.

And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. [Matthew

20:1-2]

And then, at the day, before the Son of Man comes, the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [Matthew 25:1]

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Lest there be not enough for us and you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

[Matthew 25:7-8]

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 16:20]

And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry; and of the same things which I revealed unto them; unto whom I have committed the keys of my kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times;

[Sec 26:3a,b]

Acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, who held the keys of the priesthood of Melchisedec, on the fifteenth day of May, eighteen hundred and twenty-nine, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized, and ordained under the hand of John the Baptist. [The Story of the Church, Chapter IX]

The “Keys” of the Kingdom of heaven (God) are not tangible keys. These keys are the power and authority given to men (Holy Priesthood) from God to assist those who are willing to come unto Christ, by unlocking the door to His Kingdom. For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins;

[Hebrews 5:1]

And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

[Hebrews 5:4]

Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order,

And having

been consecrate

d by my brother, Nephi…

[2 Nephi

5:2]

The Key of Authority

from God.

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

[Luke 9:2]

The Keys to Preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them: Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. [3 Nephi 5:24]

The Keys to baptize and to remit sin.

Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken away the key of knowledge, the fullness of the scriptures; ye enter not in yourselves into the kingdom; and those who were entering in, ye hindered. [Luke 11:53] And this greater priesthood administereth the

gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. [Sec 83:3b]

The Key to truth, wisdom and knowledge.

My people have gone astray from my precepts, and have not kept mine ordinances, which I gave unto their fathers;

[Genesis 17:4]

Therefore, in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest; and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this, no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

[Sec 83:3c]

The key to perform the holy ordinances of the church.

The Kingdom of GodThe Kingdom of God requires repentance.

The Repentant shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

The broken hearted and those with a contrite spirit will see the Kingdom of God and the fatness of the earth will be theirs.

Jesus said he was sent to preach the Kingdom of God.

We have been commanded to teach one another the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of GodJesus said except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said except a man be born of the water and the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said the Kingdom of God cometh not with observation.

Jesus said the Kingdom of God has already come unto you.

The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

The Kingdom of GodThe Keys of the Kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth.

The people are to see that the Kingdom of God goes forth upon the earth.

We are to be prepared for the Son of God to come down to meet the Kingdom of God that is on the earth.

The Kingdom of God must go forth so that the Kingdom of Heaven may come.

The Kingdom of GodIn the Kingdom of God on earth, the wheat

and the tares grow together in the same fields.

To be a part of the Kingdom of God we are required to sell all for the Kingdom.

Our lamps must be full of oil (Righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost) when

Jesus comes if He is going to claim us as part of His Kingdom.

Keys to the Kingdom of GodPriesthood Authority (Aaronic and

Melchisedec).

Preach the Fullness of the Gospel and the kingdom of God on earth.

Heal the sick.

Baptize of water.

Baptize of the Holy Ghost.

Remit sin.

Keys to the Kingdom of GodUnlock the treasury of wisdom and

knowledge even the knowledge of God.

Unlock the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Unlock and administer all the ordinances of the church.

Commune with the Church of the First Born.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

[Luke 12:35] Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good

will to give you the kingdom;

[Sec 28:2b]

Wherefore, the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken; [1 Nephi 4:61]

Part TwoPart Two

What is What is Zion?Zion?

When

,

What

Where

Is Zion?

And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant, which I made unto thy father Enoch; that, when men should keep all my commandments, Zion should again come on the earth, the city of Enoch which I have caught up unto myself.

[Genesis 9:21]

And it came to pass in his days, that he (Enoch) built a city that was called the city of Holiness, even Zion. [Genesis 7:25]

And it came to pass, that the Lord showed unto Enoch all the inhabitants of the earth, and he beheld, and lo! Zion in process of time was taken up into heaven.

[Genesis 7:27]

… David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. [2 Samuel 5:7]

1060 – 1052 B.C.

And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.

[I Kings 3:1]

ZION, The CITY of DAVID and JERUSALEM

The strong hold that David first captured was initially called the strong hold of Zion. David renamed it “The City of David” (I Chronicles 11:5)

As the city grew, it expanded to the west and that expansion together with the city of David became known as Jerusalem. (I Kings 8:1)

Zion – The City of David - Jerusalem

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, this is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name. [Revelation 3:12]

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [Revelation

21:2]

Psalm 15The righteousness of Zion's children

Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in they holy hill of Zion?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.

In whose eyes a vile person is condemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord; sweareth not falsely to hurt any man, and changeth not.

He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

According to the historic documents and maps revealed by Ruggero Marino, Columbus shared their dream of Christians, Muslims, and Jews living in peace in a New Jerusalem, and his voyage across the Atlantic was both to find a new passage to Asia and to find the place where the New Jerusalem could be built.

The explorer Christopher Columbus saw himself as the fullfillment of the prophecy of the Encubierto "the Hidden One" who brings about the last age and rebuilds Zion. King Ferdinand also saw himself playing the same role but as the "Last World Emperor."

In the middle of December 1620 the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, leaving behind the sinfulness of the “old world” to make a “new Jerusalem” in America. From the diary of

Governor Bradford

So intent were the Puritans that this New World would be a place to worship God as they pleased, they called their Massachusetts Bay Colony their “Zion in wilderness.”

Center for Bible Engagement

Dr. Woodrow Kroll

March 20,1842

“We believe in the literal gathering ofIsrael and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent.”

JOSEPH SMITH

Times and Seasons, vol. 3, pp. 709, 710.

And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; [1 Nephi 3:187]

And if they endure unto the end, they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb;

[1 Nephi 3:188]

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands. [1 Nephi 1:54]

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ who hath been manifested by the things which we have written. [Ether 1:35]

Wherefore, the Gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of Israel.

[2 Nephi 7:29]

Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and they who shall be numbered among thy seed, for ever, for the land of their inheritance:

[2 Nephi 7:30]

For it is a choice land, saith God unto me, above all other lands; [2 Nephi 7:31]

Wherefore, I will have all men that dwell thereon, that they shall worship me,

saith God. [2 Nephi 7:32]

Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning a New Jerusalem upon this land; and he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come; after it should be destroyed, it should be built up again a holy city unto the Lord;

Wherefore it could not be a New Jerusalem, for it had been in a time of old, but it should be built up again, and become a holy city of the Lord: and it should be built up unto the house of Israel;

And that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, [Ether 6:4-6]

Hearken, O ye elders of my church saith the Lord your God, who have assembled yourselves together, according to my commandments, in this land which is the land of Missouri, which is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the Saints: [Sec 57:1a] wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. [Sec 57:1b]

Behold, the place which is now called Independence, is the Center Place, and the spot for the temple is lying westwardupon a lot which is not far from the courthouse… [Sec 57:1d]

Wherefore prepare ye, prepare ye, O my people; sanctify yourselves; gather ye together, O ye people of my church, upon the land of Zion, all you that have not been commanded to tarry. [Sec 108:2a]

Tarry ?…there are many who will say, Where is their God? Behold, he will deliver in time of trouble; otherwise we will not go up unto Zion, and will keep our moneys. [Sec 102:3b]

And now, verily I say unto you, A commandment I give unto you, that as many as have come up hither, that can stay in the region round about, let them stay;and those that can not stay, who have families in the east, let them tarry for a little season, inasmuch as my servant Joseph shall appoint unto them, for I will counsel him concerning this matter; and all things whatsoever he shall appoint unto them shall be fulfilled.

[Sec 102:6a-b]

But firstly, let my army become very great, and let it be sanctified before me, that it may become fair as the sun, and clear as the moon, and that her banners may be terrible unto all nations; that the kingdoms of this world may be constrained to acknowledge that the kingdom of Zion is in very deed the kingdom of our God and his Christ; therefore, let us become subject unto her laws.

[Sec 102:9a-b]

… and it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the most high God;

[Sec 45:12c]

Zion shall not be moved out of her place,…

[Sec 98:4g]

Part ThreePart Three

The GatheringThe Gathering

I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

[Luke 17:34]

Zion – City of Enoch – taken to Heaven – Will come to earth again.

Zion – City of David – Jerusalem – destroyed in 70 AD and promised to be built up again a holy city unto the

Lord, unto the house of Israel.

Zion – The hope of Columbus – The Pilgrims/Puritans

Zion – City in Independence, Missouri – A place for the gathering of the Saints of the last day unto the remnant of

the seed of Joseph.

Zion is a place for the gathering of the Saints in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ and it is also the place of learning and preparation for the Kingdom of God on earth.