I agree with Love_magnified here as well Rvhill. Not sure I agree with the Kingdom thought on not being here, I see it a bit differently as I believe is comes to us but is not observable by the natural eye.
John 3:3 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.[/u]
John 1:13 Which "were born", not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor "of the will of man", but of God.[/u]
We know flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, the change is walking not after the flesh but the spirit
1Peter 1:23 Being born again, NOT OF "corruptible seed", BUT OF "incorruptible", by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Saying the Kingdom is not here would then be saying we haven't the righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God "is not meat and drink"; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in "the Holy Ghost".
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.[/u]
Paul says,
Phil 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Job could NOT SAY what God declared OF HIM
Job 9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.[/u]
Yet
Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,[/u]
1Cr 4:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
If perfection comes not while we are here then what of being made complete in Him and perfected in love? Is that not what its all about?
1Jon 2:2 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.[/u]
1John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, "so are we" in this world.
God has not given us a spirit of fear
1John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.[/u]
To know God is eternal life and we are to have this "in us" and this is evidenced by love. And nothing can separate you from his love life or death for both are ours. In fact the "passing over" from death to life is evidenced of the same (as is darkness into the light).
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:[/u]
Ephes 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, "unto" the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:[/u]
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
If we have not been the power to actually "become" the Sons of God why bother? Wouldn't that just be like the rest of men who have a "form of Godliness but deny the "power"? The power "to become" (like Him) in this world, the "manifestation" of The Sons of God. Isnt that our hope our earnest expectation? To be a partaker of His divine nature as I see it.
God hath given us power, if he hasnt let us eat and drink for tommorrow we do die you would think?
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:[/u]
Daniel