We have seen two groups of people that are going to manifest the kingdom of heaven. Israel and the church, but there is a3 group that is needed. The kingdom of heaven was initially seen in Israel through the Jewish believers. Christ Ascended and his kingdom was revealed on the earth in Jerusalem. This is not how the religious crowd expected to see the kingdom., But the small band of Jewish believers were hated, persecuted, and even killed for the sake of the true Messiah, Jesus. Since the ascension of Christ, that has happened to all who follow him. There is a reaction from Satan towards the kingdom of heaven’s manifestation. This reaction is seen as wars, rumors of wars, nations battling one another earthquakes, famine, and pestilence. Satan is trying to stop its manifestation. Israel will experience during the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation such a realization that Jesus is indeed, the Messiah. Satan will be so angry. The abomination of desolation will take place. But Jesus will restore Israel and keep covenant with them and bring them into that millennial kingdom. The second group of people that should manifest the kingdom are the church. The church needs to be ready. They should not be enamored with this age. As in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah, we should be ready and not living for this world. Do you realize that one will be taken and one will be left behind? Could you entertain the thought that the one left behind could be a believer? Could you consider that the foolish virgins are believers who aren’t ready? Could you consider that the evil and slothful slave is a Christian‘s? Most have not considered this, and do not want to consider this. Let us ask ourselves are all Christians going to be wise virgins and good and faithful servants when Christ returns? Of course not! If this is true, then, who is the foolish? And who is the slothful? This is not in regard to salvation, this is in regard to our having neglected the manifested of the kingdom of heaven in our life. We must deal with these verses, according to their context, and according to the people to whom he is speaking about.. And then the third group of people is the nations. The kingdom of heaven is going to be seen with Christ on the throne, andfaithful slaves, ruling with him, wise, virgins sitting next to him, and the remnant of Israel ministering as faithful priest unto the messiah. Who are we ruling and ministering to? The nations.! Every kingdom must have its subjects, and the nations that have come through the tribulation are the constituents of this kingdom. This is marvelous to see in the remainder of Matthew 25.
