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THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The integral (intrinsic and fundamental) kingdom of God has existed from eternity
past as God's absolute authority, power and viewpoint. Psalm 145:13 declares
this absolutely. Although the term "kingdom of God" does not occur here or
anywhere in the OT, it is certainly referring to God's kingdom. Psalm 10:16;
29:10; Dan. 4:3
God's kingdom authority, policy and viewpoint came under attack through the
rebellion of Satan and the fall of Adam. Spiritual darkness entered into the
universe and spiritual death on all who rejected God's authority and policy.
God gave Adam the Messianic promise of Gen 3:15 to provide the pathway for
restoration to spiritual life with God.
The Messianic promise was narrowed down from Adam to Noah, to Shem, to
Abraham and then to the nation of Israel that God built from the NEW race
that God manufactured from the genes of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. From that
nation/race the promise was extended to David and then to David's Greater
Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament (OT) time period anyone who trusted in the Messianic
promise entered into a salvation relationship with God. If someone is in a
relationship with God, they abide within His kingdom of light and possess
everlasting life.
Acts 10:43.
“Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who
believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
Isaiah 55:1-3, "Incline your ear and come to me . . . and I will make an
everlasting covenant with you."
James 2:5, "did not God choose the poor (spiritually poor {recognition of
need} and humble) of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
that he promised to those who love Him."
These believers then lived on the earth as servants of God to proclaim the
message of the kingdom of God, and to enjoy His blessings in ANTICIPATION of
a HEAVENLY inheritance and destiny, "a heavenly city" (Heb. 11:16). Although
they were/are in the kingdom, the fullness of kingdom blessing is not to be
realized until resurrection.
This is what Job looked for. Job 19:26-27
It is what Abraham looked for. Heb. 11:16
It is what David looked for. Ps. 16:10; 49:15;
It is what all the Old testament believers looked for: Acts 24:14-15. Paul
said,
"I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in
accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; having a hope in
God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a
resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked."
This PROMISE of the kingdom could not be realized until the promised
Messiah/savior came into the world. When Jesus came into the world it could
then be said, that "the kingdom of God HAS COME NEAR."
Both John the baptizer and Jesus make this claim. Mat. 3:2 and 4:17.
The perfect active indicative of engidzō indicates the time of arrival.
The kingdom has arrived with the result that it is present right now in the
person of the Messiah.
Jesus said, "the time IS fulfilled and the kingdom of God HAS come near
(arrived)."
Paul wrote that it was "at the fullness of time." Gal. 4:4.
Between the testaments, some kind of understanding arose about the kingdom
of God.
The proclamation that the kingdom of God has "arrived" (has come near upon
you), did not elicit any questions like, "what are you talking about?" They
had an awareness that there was a "kingdom of God."
When Nicodemus was told he could not enter into the kingdom of God without
being born again, he did not question - what is this kingdom of God you are
talking about? He questioned the mechanics of entrance. And then Jesus
taught him that the issue of both the new birth and entrance into the
kingdom, was trust in Him for the possession of everlasting life. John
3:1-18.
While the Old Testament does in fact teach about the future earthly kingdom
for the nation of Israel, it is never called "the kingdom of God." In fact,
the term, "kingdom of God" does not occur anywhere in the Old Testament.
This promise to Israel through David and Solomon, that they would be given
an EARTHLY kingdom over which the Messiah would reign, was a sub-set of the
Messianic seed-promise. But the primary focus was redemption from sin and
restoration to spiritual life with God for all eternity.
The promise to the nation of Israel regarding DAVID'S earthly kingdom is
something entirely DIFFERENT. That promise is simply PART of the promise to
Abraham that revolves primarily around the SPIRITUAL promise, "in you shall
all the nations of the earth be blessed."
This promise looked to SPIRITUAL life through the good news of salvation
from sin and the acquisition of a righteous standing before God
(justification). Gal. 3:8; Isaiah 53:11.
The real issue in proclaiming the kingdom of God is the fulfillment of the
seed promise of Gen. 3:15; the arrival of the Messiah/Savior, whose purpose
is to manifest upon the earth the authority and viewpoint of the spiritual
kingdom of God. That is, to bring to completion God's plan of salvation; and
bring final judgment on Satan and all aspects of spiritual rebellion. Psalm
92:7, "When the wicked sprouted up like grass, And all who did injustice
flourished, It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore."
Throughout the history of Israel, the people for the most part, lost focus
on the SPIRITUAL kingdom and concentrated on the earthly kingdom promised to
David.
Jesus did not come to bring this earthly kingdom to Israel nor to even OFFER
it.
He came first and foremost to proclaim the arrival of God's promised
SPIRITUAL kingdom. The fulfillment of the promise to David of an EARTHLY
kingdom will come later and is INCIDENTAL to the spiritual factors.
In fact, the earthly kingdom cannot happen until and unless the SPIRITUAL
kingdom ARRIVES through the first parousia of the Messiah (the message,
death and resurrection of Jesus).
However, no where did Jesus OFFER an earthly kingdom to the nation of
Israel.
Jesus did not have that earthly kingdom in mind.
In the teachings of Jesus, there is no mention of the earthly kingdom even
though the Pharisees and even the disciples often had that in mind.
So, while it is true that some, and even the disciples, were thinking of
that future earthly kingdom, that is, were expecting the establishment of an
earthly kingdom (Luke 19:11; Acts 1:6), that does not mean that Jesus had
that in view. There is nothing in His teachings that even hints at that. And
in fact, at Luke 19, knowing the thoughts of the people ("they supposed that
the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately"), Jesus immediately
taught a parable indicating that He was in fact LEAVING without establishing
any earthly kingdom.
However, many of the people of Israel and even outside of Israel, still had
the proper focus on the redemptive ministry of the Messiah.
The events pertaining to both advents were mentioned in the revelations and
prophecies given to some of these believers. Both the spiritual kingdom and
the earthly kingdom were mentioned, because these righteous people
understood that the future earthly kingdom was anchored in the spiritual
issues of Christ's person and work.
Matthew 1:20-23: the message to Joseph concerned only the spiritual factor
of salvation from sin. "And you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His
people from their sins."
The magi
Mat. 2:2, the one who has been born King of the Jews.
The context indicates that they had in mind an earthly reign, but this would
only be as an extension of His redemptive work and resurrection. Perhaps it
was understood that the redemptive work of the promised Messiah went hand in
hand with His earthly kingship.
The angel's message to Mary mentioned both the earthly reign of the Messiah
and the EVERLASTING reign, which of course would be a heavenly focus.
Luke 1:32-33
1. Earthly kingdom promised to David: "give Him the throne of His father
David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever."
2. The eternal spiritual reign: "and His kingdom will have no end."
Mary's proclamation expressed deliverance for Israel without giving any
specifics.
Luke 1:54-55, "has given help to Israel His servant in remembrance of His
mercy; as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and His offspring forever."
This focuses on the unconditional covenants, which include the future
earthly kingdom, but most certainly sees and would be dependent on the
spiritual blessing through the redemptive work of Christ.
Zacharias, prophesied concerning the Messiah: "redemption and a horn of
salvation."
Luke 1:71-75: The earthly focus because national deliverance was ALSO a part
of the OT prophecies.
Luke 1:76-79: The spiritual focus, "knowledge of salvation through the
forgiveness of their sins."
The shepherds
Luke 2:8-14: The message to the shepherds was about spiritual relationship
with God through the provision of a Savior.
"For all people . . . a savior who is Christ the Lord."
There was no mention of an earthly kingdom.
Simeon
Luke 2:25-32: Simeon "was righteous and devout, looking for the
encouragement for Israel."
Of course, it was the encouragement of Israel because the work of redemption
was indeed "to the Jew first and also to the Gentile."
His message was about the spiritual provision.
"A light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel."
"My eyes have seen Your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of
ALL peoples."
There was no mention of an earthly kingdom.
Anna
Luke 2:36-38: Anna focused on the nation of Israel, but still had the
spiritual issue in view as she proclaimed about the Savior Who would bring a
spiritual deliverance "to all those who were looking for the REDEMPTION (lutrōsis)
of Jerusalem (Israel). This refers to the salvation provision (forgiveness
of sins) that the Messiah would bring - first to Israel and then to the
Gentiles and indeed to the whole world.
Later, we learn that the Samaritans were looking for the Messiah. John
4:25-42. They were looking for the Messiah (for the world), but not an
earthly kingdom for Israel.
And their conclusion after hearing His words, "this one is indeed the Savior
of the world."
That is, the One they had been taught about and for Whom they were looking.
JOHN THE BAPTIZER
In the teachings and expectation of John the baptizer, there was nothing
mentioned about the earthly kingdom.
His primary focus was "behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world."
He became a bit disillusioned while in prison and inquired if indeed Jesus
was the one they were looking for. Jesus answered by reminding him of the
signs of the Messiah as per Isaiah 35:5-6 (healings) and 61:1 (the gospel
proclaimed).
This was to establish that He was indeed the promised Messiah/Savior. But
there is no explicit focus on the earthly kingdom. That is because the
ministry of Jesus was as per Isaiah 61:1-2a; His work of redemption, and NOT
the future earthly kingdom.
THE TEACHING OF JESUS
When the Messiah comes into the world there are several things that He would
accomplish - divided between His first and second advents.
At the first advent the focus is only on the spiritual issues of the kingdom
of God.
1. Entrance into the kingdom through salvation from sin.
2. Living in the kingdom as sons of light.
3. Future participation in the heavenly kingdom through the second coming.
4. Future judgment on unbelievers through the second coming.
At the second advent the focus is on the COMPLETION of the redemptive plan
through resurrection; judging God's enemies; and bringing in the heavenly,
everlasting kingdom. There is no specific mention of David's earthly kingdom
and it's implementation is only hinted at with the teaching in Revelation
about the 1000 year kingdom that will precede the last judgment.
And just as these two advents were blended together in the OT, likewise in
the minds of SOME of the people, these two were blended together.
Throughout the ministry of Jesus, it does not matter what the people were
expecting or thinking.
And in fact, they did NOT understand about the kingdom of God that Jesus
brought at His first coming - until He explained it.
Jesus did not offer them an earthly kingdom. He made it clear at the very
beginning of His ministry. At the synagogue in Nazareth, He quoted from
Isaiah 61:1-2a, clearly dividing between the redemptive work of the Messiah
and a distant future establishment of David's promised earthly kingdom.
Isaiah 61:2b-9 speaks of the earthly kingdom that will come from the
Messiah's second advent. Jesus stopped short of this because His ministry
did NOT concern any offer of the earthly kingdom or how to enter or live in
that earthly kingdom.
As quoted from Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He
anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim
release to captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those
who are oppressed."
Verse 21, "today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your ears."
And then He went to Capernaum and fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2.
(Mat. 4:15-16).
"The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the
Gentiles—
16 The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who
were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned."
And at the end of His ministry, just before
being crucified, He stated clearly that His kingdom was NOT out from (ek)
this world (kosmos). That is, not of an earthly origin or nature.
He is indeed a king, but He is an eternal king of an eternal kingdom that
has now been presented to the earth in His person and work. "For this I have
been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the
truth."
He taught about relationship with God through changing the mind and
believing in HIM as the Savior of the world - the gospel of the kingdom.
He did not teach about an earthly kingdom and did not talk about deliverance
from Rome.
He talked about the here and now kingdom of God's authority and viewpoint;
present and available for entrance into through faith in Him.
That is why both John and Jesus told the people to "repent." That is, change
your mind about God and about His kingdom. It is here now and entrance into
it is available to anyone who will believe in Jesus.
John: Acts 19:4, "telling the people to believe in Him who was coming
after."
Jesus: Mark 1:15, "repent and believe the gospel."
John 3:3-16, You don't enter into it unless you are born again. That is,
unless you receive NEW LIFE (everlasting life) through faith in Christ.
At Luke 18:17 Jesus used the expression, "receive the kingdom of God" to
indicate a faith acceptance of the gospel invitation.
Accordingly, at the very moment that someone believes in Christ, they
receive everlasting life and enter into the kingdom of God.
And then Jesus taught extensively how to live IN the kingdom of God right
now while living on the earth. Basically, the believer is to live with the
attitude of seeking to promote the value system of the kingdom of God. The
value system of God's kingdom is righteousness, justice, mercy and love.
These characteristics are inherent within God's essence and within His
kingdom as it exists perfectly in the realm of the heavenlies. As the
believer grows in grace and knowledge, his life should revolve around
promoting God's righteousness in the world, and thus represent the standards
of God's kingdom here on the earth as he lives according to the royal law of
love.
Such ones are designated as a "disciple of the kingdom of heaven, who brings
forth out of his treasure things new and old." Mat. 13:52.
That is coupling OT truth with NT truth.
His presentation of the kingdom was a here and now reality that involved
forgiveness from sin (Mark 1:4, 14-15); relationship with God (John 1:12;
John 3:3-5; 12:36); everlasting life (John 3:14-17); a transfer from
darkness to light (John 12:36, 46; 8:12) - AND the standards for living here
on earth as citizens of that kingdom of light ( John 8:31-32; Mat. 5-7).
He stated that He was not here to bring in the earthly kingdom, but that -
(1) The kingdom of God was in their presence; among them. Luke 17:20-21.
and
(2) There will be a future, heavenly participation in the kingdom of God
that would not come until long after his suffering, death and resurrection.
Luke 17:22-25; 18:29-30; 21:31; Mat. 24; 26.29
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS HERE
With Jesus present on the earth as the embodiment of the character of God
and doing the works of God, He can say, "the kingdom of God has come UPON (epi)
you." Mat. 12:28.
Later, Jesus clarified that the kingdom of God was WITH or AMONG the people.
Jesus told the people, "the kingdom of God is among (entos) you (plural).
Luke 17:21
Everything He taught is for relating to the kingdom of God right here and
now on earth, and in anticipation of everlasting life in the heavenly
kingdom.
FIRST: entrance into the kingdom through the new birth; faith in the person
and work of Christ.
He made it perfectly clear as recorded in the gospels, that He came as the
sacrificial Shepherd who will give His life for the life of the sheep. John
3:17; 10:11-18, 34-35; 12:46-50; Mat. 20:28; 1 John 4:14.
And those who understood would make the correlation to Isaiah 53 and Psalm
22.
A. The purpose of His presence is to proclaim: Luke 4:43
B. Mt. 4:23 - the gospel of the kingdom (cf. v.17,23 - preach, proclaim)
C. Mark 1:14-15, "change your mind (about God) and believe in the gospel."
D. Proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom: Mat. 9:35; 11:1-5, 11; Luke 8:1;
9:11
E. John 8:24, "unless you believe that I AM, you shall die in your sins."
F. Acts 1:3, "speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God."
SECOND: living in the kingdom right now through learning and using the
standards of God's righteousness and love as found both in the OT writings
and also in the very words of Jesus. Jesus taught the disciples how to live
RIGHT NOW - in the kingdom of God; in anticipation of the "church" (the
elect body; the "called out" assembly) that He would build upon HIMSELF -
the ROCK; and in anticipation of the promised heavenly destiny that Abraham
looked for. Heb. 11:16.
He did not teach them to live in view of the mil. kingdom. All throughout
His teachings he focuses on righteousness, justice, mercy, faithfulness and
love.
THIRD: being on the right side of the resurrection of the just and the
unjust in the heavenly kingdom.
And the message of the disciples after showing the signs of the kingdom
(healing the sick), is to proclaim to the people, "the kingdom of God has
come near UPON (epi) you," (Luke 10:9). IE. It is here RIGHT NOW and is
evidenced by our message and works - and the message and works of Jesus. Mt.
10:27; Lk. 9:2; 10:9, 11;
Luke 9:60 - go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.
The same message for entrance and living.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The Bible teaches that the kingdom of God is a present spiritual reality
that the believer participates in through trust in Jesus as the
Messiah/Savior.
The person who trusts in Christ is presently IN THE KINGDOM as a child of
God.
That person "has been delivered out from the authority of darkness and
TRANSFERRED INTO the kingdom of His beloved Son." Col. 1:13.
He has become a kingdom citizen, and has access to all the spiritual
benefits for living in this present world as representatives of God's
kingdom viewpoint and policy.
Likewise, the message of everlasting life and resurrection is the same
gospel of the kingdom of God which Paul proclaimed everywhere he went. Acts
19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31.
The kingdom of God (heaven) that was taught by John the baptizer, by Jesus
Himself, by the 12 disciples and the 70 disciples whom He sent out two by
two; AND by the apostles after His resurrection - is the very same spiritual
kingdom of God that requires FAITH in Christ for entrance and following the
law of love for living in the kingdom right now on earth.
Everyone who believes in Christ is given entrance into the kingdom and
through that spiritual reality, actually gain possession of the kingdom.
That's what Jesus meant at Mat. 5:3, "Happy are the poor in spirit for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Poor in spirit refers to the humility that
recognizes one's NEED for salvation and accepts God's provision (policy) for
entrance into the kingdom (the spiritual kingdom). The same issue of
humility and entrance into the kingdom as He taught at Matthew 18:3-4,
"whoever then humbles himself as this child is greatest in the kingdom of
heaven (God)." Greatest and least are equal.
And at Mat. 19:14, those who are "SUCH as these" (that is, those who have
expressed humility so as to trust in Jesus as the Savior) HAVE the kingdom.
"the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Such ones have a present - real time - status in the kingdom of heaven (God)
and have the promise (hope/confidence) of the PHYSICAL fulfillment of
everlasting life through resurrection. THAT is the future aspect of the
kingdom of God passages. It is not talking about the earthly kingdom
promised to David.
Paul makes it clear that "flesh and blood shall not enter the kingdom of
God."
THAT is the future participation in the HEAVENLY kingdom, as Paul wrote
about at 2 Tim. 4:18, "He will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom."
Jesus came into the world to offer entrance into the spiritual kingdom of
God based on His personal presence (parousia - message, miracles,
crucifixion and resurrection).
The teachings are for the hearers RIGHT NOW; especially the Beatitudes.
Jesus taught how to ENTER the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is His
realm of existence; That's why salvation is designated as His kind of life -
everlasting life. "in Him is life; he who has the Son has the life." etc.
And Jesus taught about living after entrance into the kingdom - as citizens
of the kingdom; children of God. Living according to the royal law of the
kingdom; the law of love.
In Mat. 7:21, Jesus is not teaching ABOUT the future mil kingdom.
He is talking specifically about God's POLICY for being saved - for entrance
into the spiritual kingdom. "He who does the will of My Father." Faith in
Christ.
It is an established fact that the one who believes in Jesus RIGHT THEN as
He is teaching, will become a child of God and will be placed into God's
kingdom.
There will come a time (perhaps the great White Throne judgment) when some
will claim qualification to be saved - entrance into everlasting life, but
will want to do it on their own terms. Thus, "I never knew you."
That is why the book of works is opened - to show all the "good" things that
people did, but none of it measures up to Christ's righteousness, which is
what we must possess for entrance into the kingdom. Mat. 5:20.
THE EARTHLY KINGDOM
The OT does in fact teach about this future earthly kingdom for the nation
of Israel, but it is never called "the kingdom of God." In fact, the term,
"kingdom of God" does not occur anywhere in the OT.
This promise to Israel through David that they would be given an EARTHLY
kingdom over which the Messiah would reign was a sub-set of the Messianic
promise. But the primary focus was redemption from sin and restoration to
spiritual life with God for all eternity.
The promise to the nation of Israel regarding DAVID'S earthly kingdom is
something entirely DIFFERENT. That promise is simply PART of the promise to
Abraham that revolves primarily around the SPIRITUAL promise, "in you shall
all the nations of the earth be blessed."
This promise looked to SPIRITUAL life through the good news of salvation
from sin and the acquisition of a righteous standing before God
(justification). Gal. 3:8
The real issue in proclaiming the kingdom of God is the fulfillment of the
seed promise of Gen. 3:15; the arrival of the Messiah/Savior, whose purpose
is to manifest upon the earth the authority and viewpoint of the spiritual
kingdom of God. That is, to bring to completion God's plan of salvation; and
bring final judgment on Satan.
Throughout the history of Israel, the people for the most part, lost focus
on the SPIRITUAL kingdom and concentrated on the earthly kingdom promised to
David.
Jesus did not come to bring this earthly kingdom to Israel nor to even OFFER
it.
He came first and foremost to proclaim the arrival of God's promised
SPIRITUAL kingdom. The fulfillment of the promise to David of an EARTHLY
kingdom will come later and is INCIDENTAL to the spiritual factors.
In fact, the earthly kingdom cannot happen until and unless the SPIRITUAL
kingdom ARRIVES through the first parousia of the Messiah (the message,
death and resurrection of Jesus).
In the teachings of Jesus, there is no mention of the earthly kingdom even
though the Pharisees and even the disciples often had that in mind.
He stated that He was not here to bring in the earthly kingdom, but that the
future establishment of the kingdom of God (both earthly and heavenly) would
not come until long after his suffering, death and resurrection. Luke
17:20-25; 18-19; 21; Mat. 24.
The Pharisees were looking for "some kind" of an earthly kingdom. And Jesus
told them, don't be looking for any signs or some physical location. He
said, "the kingdom of God is among (entos) you (plural). What they had not
realized is that the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom that was right
then and now in their presence through the person and message of Jesus. Luke
17:21.
Just as Jesus stated to the Pharisees at Mat. 12:28, "and since I cast out
demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
That is why He rebuked them on several occasions and directed them to "the
weightier provisions of the law; justice, mercy, faithfulness (and the love
of God)." Mat. 23:23; Luke 11:42. The law of the kingdom is the royal law of
love. James 2:8.
Even the disciples lost focus on the spiritual issues right up until Jesus
explained the OT to them more fully just before He ascended after His
resurrection.
Even with their "slowness" to understand
The fact of an earthly kingdom promised to David was known by all of them.
It was taught throughout the OT and was probably discussed among themselves
quite often.
They knew that the earthly kingdom would come in connection with the arrival
of the Messiah. It was something they knew apart from anything Jesus would
have taught because it was part of their culture.
So it would be natural for the disciples to think that after the
resurrection, Jesus would bring in the earthly kingdom - not necessarily
because He taught about it, but because they HAD BEEN taught about it all
their lives - AND they had lost focus on the spiritual issues in spite of
the spiritual emphasis in all of Christ's teachings.
Why would Jesus teach them about the earthly kingdom and then they know
NOTHING about the truth of the matter?
The fact of the matter is that Jesus taught them what was going to happen to
them after His death and resurrection at Mat 10:17-23. Nothing about an
earthly kingdom.
Perhaps even Acts 1:7 is a mild rebuke, "It is not for you to know the times
or the epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority."
And when they asked, He used the entire OT to show them that the earthly
kingdom was not the issue. Luke 24:44-48
Even though during His ministry, Jesus told the disciples that they were
disciples of the kingdom of God and that God has chosen to give them the
kingdom; and even after the upper room discourse, they still did not fully
understand about the kingdom of God until Jesus taught them after His
resurrection.
So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it
at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But He said to
them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which
the Father has set by His own authority." (Acts 1:6-7). “These are My words
which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that
are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the
Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, “So it is written, that the Christ would
suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance for
forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations,
beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And
behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay
in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49).
And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you
shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and
as far as the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).
They were to be witnesses of the SPIRITUAL kingdom of God and did not teach
about the earthly kingdom that had been promised to David.
The earthly kingdom is simply not mentioned in the New Testament UNTIL Rev.
20:4 and 21:9-27. And even then it is not specifically designated as the
fulfillment of the promise to David.
Even at Hebrews 1:8, "His kingdom" refers to the eternal kingdom and not the
earthly kingdom promised to Israel.
The apostles did NOT teach about the earthly kingdom promised to Israel.
They taught about entrance INTO the kingdom of God through faith in Christ
for salvation, and LIVING in the kingdom of God here on earth after
salvation.
Rom. 14:17; 1Cor. 4:20; 6:9-10; 15:24, 50; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:13;
4:11; 1Thes. 2:12; 2Thes. 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:1, 18; James 2:5; 2 Peter 1:11;
Rev. 1:9; 11:15; 12:10.
1. Entrance:
1Cor. 6:9-11, "The unrighteous will not enter into the kingdom of God . . .
"
"but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ."
1Cor. 5:50, the future heavenly kingdom: "flesh and blood does not inherit
the kingdom of God."
Col. 1:13, "for He delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred
us into the kingdom of the Son of His love."
1Thes. 2:12, "walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own
kingdom and glory."
2. Living:
Romans 14:17, "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
1Cor. 4:20, "for the kingdom of God does not consist in (mere) words, but in
power."
Col. 4:11, "fellow workers for the kingdom of God."
1Thes. 2:12, "walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own
kingdom and glory."
3. The future heavenly kingdom:
1Cor. 5:50, the future heavenly kingdom: "flesh and blood does not inherit
the kingdom of God."
2Tim. 4:18, "the Lord will save me for His heavenly kingdom."
THE HEAVENLY ETERNAL KINGDOM
Jesus also taught about a FUTURE aspect of the kingdom. It was the
FULFILLMENT of the salvation promise that culminates in RESURRECTION and a
"heavenly" destiny - not life in an earthly kingdom. And He uses symbolism
to teach about the peace and joy of living in the culmination of the kingdom
of God - not the earthly kingdom.
Mat. 8:11-12: Jesus uses the symbolism of "shall recline at table" to refer
to heavenly blessings experienced by those who have trusted in Him as
Savior. The "many" is a specific focus on all the Gentiles who will be saved
while so many Jews will be rejected. This is not the earthly kingdom.
The OT often combined this symbol to speak of both Israel's earthly kingdom,
AND the eternal kingdom. We have to be very careful to see the division.
Isaiah 25:6-8
"Now the Lord of armies will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on
this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And
refined, aged wine. And on this mountain He will destroy the covering which
is over all peoples, The veil which is stretched over all nations. He will
swallow up death for all time, And the Lord God will wipe tears away from
all faces, And He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken."
These symbols portray a heavenly, RESURRECTION context. 1 Cor. 15:53-57 and
Rev. 21:4.
Jesus used this same symbol of blessing in the heavenly kingdom at the last
supper. Mat. 26:27.
"I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when
I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."
He is not talking about the future millennial kingdom. He is talking about
life in the heavenly kingdom. And He uses the same symbol as at Mat. 8:11-12
and Isaiah 25:6-8.
1 Cor. 15:24 is not a reference to the earthly kingdom. "Then comes the end,
when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished
all rule and all authority and power."
Some think that this refers to the earthly kingdom that Christ will rule
over for 1000 years. But there is nothing that requires this to be a
reference to the earthly kingdom, especially since it is not mentioned
anywhere else in Paul's writings.
Christ is the fulfillment of the seed promise who will restore the kingdom
of God to its complete authority and viewpoint. He accomplishes this after
the last judgment, and the "kingdom" that He hands "back" to the Father is
not an earthly kingdom but a spiritual one.
This simply means that the "rift" in God's kingdom has now been resolved as
per God's plan from the very beginning as per Psalm 92:11. "when the wicked
sprouted up like grass, and all who did iniquity flourished, it was so that
they might be destroyed forevermore."
The eternal kingdom of God is described by the term "new heavens and new
earth."
Although this renovation of the universe has a "seed pod" aspect at the
start of the earthly kingdom (Isaiah 65:17-25), the term looks beyond the
earthly kingdom and sees the eternal universe.
The Bible certainly teaches about the heaven of God's throne where also His
angels reside.
Psalm 103:19-21; 1 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 18:18.
But there is very little revelation about the heavenly kingdom. However,
believers did understand that the promises of God were ultimately realized
in a heavenly destiny. Abraham and others understood this as stated at
Hebrews 11:16, "but as it is, they desire a better country, that is a
heavenly one . . . for God has prepared a city for them."
This allows us to understand many Old Testament promises as having
ultimately a heavenly focus.
Old Testament resurrection promises should be understood as having a
heavenly focus.
Job 19:26-27; Dan. 12:2 and Acts 24:14-15; Psalm 49:15; 68:18
It seems the promises of an "everlasting" destiny should also fall under the
umbrella of Hebrew 11:6.
Isaiah 55:1-3, "and I will make with you an everlasting covenant - the grace
provisions of David."
The eternal aspect of the new heavens was not seen in the Old Testament
(although hinted at Isaiah 66:22. "for just as the new heavens and the new
earth, which I make will endure before Me), but is revealed in the New
Testament at 2 Peter 3 and Rev. 21:1-8. The expression, "forever and ever"
(using the word, ōlAm) throughout the Old Testament is referring to a very
long time in an earthly context. It is used for the Davidic covenant at 2
Samuel 7:16, "your throne will be established forever (adh ōlAm)." And for
the new covenant and the earthly kingdom at Jeremiah 31:40, "the city . . .
shall not be plucked up or overthrown anymore forever (le ōlAm)."
When used of God it has an eternal focus such as at Psalm 90:2, "from
everlasting (ōlAm) to everlasting (ōlAm) you are God." And Jeremiah 33:11,
"Your grace kindness (chesed) is unto everlasting (le ōlAm."
The new universe is described at "those things that cannot be shaken" at
Hebrews 12:26-27. Quoted from Hag. 2:6, the final stage of establishing the
eternal kingdom of God will begin with the second coming of the Messiah. At
that time He will administer the day-of-the-Lord judgments, and after that
establish the earthly kingdom.
"For thus says the Lord of armies: ‘Once more in a little while, I am going
to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. I will
shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations,
and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord of armies."
At Revelation 21:1-8, the New heavens and earth is seen as coming into its
full realization AFTER the millennial kingdom has ended and after the last
judgment.
See topic renovation
It is at this time that the Lord Jesus will hand over His successful
establishment of the kingdom of God to the The God and Father. 1 Cor.
15:24-28.
THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
Life in the eternal kingdom of God seems to be focused on the New Jerusalem.
All believers from the Old Testament and from the church are united together
in the new Jerusalem as can be deduced from Rev. 21:9-14 along with Eph.
2:11-21.
"It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve
angels; and names were written on the gates, which are the names of the
twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. There were three gates on the east,
three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the
west. And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them
were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."
All believers fall under the category of "seed of Abraham." Galatians 3:7,9,
"those who are out from faith are sons of Abraham." Verse 9, "those who are
out from faith are blessed with Abraham the believer."
And all believers fall under the category of belonging to Christ. Gal.
3:28-29, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And
if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according
to promise."
Thus, all believers qualify to be citizens of the new Jerusalem.
However, it seems based on Rev. 19:7-9, that the bride of Christ is separate
from believers who live in the millennial kingdom. The bride is separate
from those invited to the wedding feast.
And yet, after the millennial kingdom, when all believers will possess a
resurrection body, they will all reside in the new Jerusalem. It is possible
that once they receive a resurrection body, they then become part of the
bride.
Or more probably, we should look at these things; the bride, the wedding and
those invited as simply symbols to portray what will happen in the context
of that particular chronological event. IE. the start of the millennial
kingdom when there will be both resurrected believers and believers still in
mortal bodies.
From a study of the order of resurrections (1Cor. 15:23), it can be seen
that there is -
1. Christ the first fruits.
2. Those who are Christ's at His PRESENCE (parousia). That is a resurrection
that will occur DURING the period of time of Christ's second coming. This is
broken down into at three phases; the rapture; the believers who will die
after the rapture; and the believers at the end of the millennium.
Both the Old Testament and the New teach that there are only TWO
resurrections; the resurrection of the just and the unjust. John 5:29, "unto
life" or "unto judgment." Dan. 12:2; Acts 24:15, "a resurrection of both the
righteous and the wicked."
Rev. 20:1-4 teaches that there is a first resurrection, and there is "the
rest of the dead who did not come to life until the 1000 years were
completed." "The rest" would then constitute the second resurrection; the
resurrection of the unjust - unto judgment.
I suggest that the last part of verse 4 should be understood as including
the two groups mentioned; the raptured believers and the DOL martyrs. The
statement does not limit who is to be part of the first resurrection. Since
we are not told about the resurrection of believers at the end of the
millennium, perhaps it is safe to conclude that they too will be part of the
resurrection of the just; the first resurrection.
THE LIFE OF BELIEVERS IN ETERNITY
The life of believers in eternity should be seen as revolving around the new
heavens and earth.
All believers will have a resurrection body and there will be no
unbelievers.
In Revelation 21-22, we need to be diligent to distinguish between the life
of believers in the earthly kingdom and the eternal quality of life of all
believers in the resurrection.
Rev. 21:1-7 describes this quality of life. And Rev. 21:9-27 and 22:1-5
describes life in the earthly kingdom.
Revelation 21:3-4, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying,
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among
them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be
any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the
first things have passed away.”
Verse 8 indicates that this describes the quality of life AFTER the last
judgment of Rev. 20:11-15 has been completed.
"But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and
sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their
part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death."
At Revelation
21:1-8, the New heavens and earth is seen as coming into its full
realization AFTER the millennial kingdom has ended and after the last
judgment.
See topic renovation
It is then at this time that the Lord Jesus will hand over His successful
establishment of the kingdom of God "on earth as it is in heaven" to The God
and Father. 1 Cor. 15:24-28.
SOME ORIENTED BELIEVERS
Prior to the establishment of the church those who were viewed as "righteous
in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and
requirements of the Lord," were occupied with the SPIRITUAL kingdom of God
and not David's earthly kingdom.
The primary focus in the Psalms, Proverbs and the Prophets is living in the
spiritual kingdom of God with emphasis on righteousness, justice, mercy and
love.
At the time of the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea is described as one who
"had become a disciple of Jesus" (Mat. 27:57), and as one who was "waiting
for the kingdom of God" (Mark 15:43), and as "a good and righteous man"
(Luke 23:50).
Joseph was waiting for the SPIRITUAL manifestation of the kingdom of God.
He had accepted the SPIRITUAL message of Jesus, and like Nicodemus, believed
in Jesus as the promised Messiah/Savior.
Jesus came to present Himself as the Savior of the world - proclaimed first
to Israel and then to the Gentiles - all equally invited and accepted by
trusting in Him as the promised sin-bearer. Jesus proclaimed the arrival of
the SPIRITUAL kingdom of God/heaven through His personal presence on the
earth.
THE DISCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM
After The Exodus, God established the nation of Israel as the priestly
representative of God's kingdom on the earth. It can be said of them that
they possessed the kingdom. That is, they were stewards of the kingdom.
Although the OT never designates them as such, Exodus 19:6 indicates it and
the words of Jesus at Mat. 21:43 confirms it. as He says to them, "the
kingdom of God will be taken away from you."
Also at Matthew 8:11-12, Jesus uses the term, "sons of the kingdom" to refer
to the Jewish people who at THAT present time were God's administrators of
the SPIRITUAL kingdom of God. But since (as a nation) they rejected Jesus as
the Savior, in the heavenly kingdom of heaven (God) as symbolized by the
banquet, they will be "cast out into the outer darkness."
After the nation rejected Jesus as the anointed Savior, "the kingdom of God"
was taken away from them and assigned to a "nation" producing the fruit of
it.
Jesus was not talking about a physical earthly kingdom. He was talking about
responsibility as stewards of the spiritual kingdom of God.
The disciples are the foundation layers of that "new nation" that will be
representatives of the SPIRITUAL kingdom of God. Thus Jesus said to them,
"for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32.
Jesus does not see them or deal with them as representing Israel or the
Jewish people, but as members of a new nation; a new body, which He calls
"My church (My "called out" assembly, ekklāsia is from ekkaleō) Mat. 16:18
and 18:18.
Accordingly the disciples are designated as "disciples of the kingdom,"
which God gave to them to be representatives of the kingdom at that time and
after His resurrection, as proclaimers of the gospel of the kingdom of God.
(1) God took a way the kingdom of God from the Jewish nation. Mat. 21:43,
"the kingdom of God will be taken away from you."
(2) The kingdom was given to a new nation, "and it will be given to a nation
producing the fruit of it."
(3) The kingdom of God was given to the disciples. Luke 12:32, "your Father
has chosen gladly to give y'all the kingdom."
(4) The disciples comprise and are foundation layers of "the nation
producing the fruit of" the kingdom.
(5) The disciples are the foundation layers of the church, which is the new
nation that possesses the kingdom and represents the kingdom of God. 1 Peter
2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies
of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
(6) The disciples are addressed - NOT - as members of the nation of Israel,
but as a group of believers who will be persecuted by Israel. Mat. 10:17.
(7) At Mat. 23:34, Jesus addressed the nation through its representative
body - "the scribes and Pharisees," and told them, "Therefore, behold, I AM
SENDING you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill
and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues, and
persecute from city to city."
Jesus had already told the disciples that they would be the ones spoken of
here. Mt. 10:17, "But be on guard against people, for they will hand you
over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues."
After Christ's resurrection, this statement was literally fulfilled through
the disciples and those who believed in Christ through them.
The disciples are told that THIS gospel of the kingdom would be proclaimed
throughout the world before He comes back ("then the end will come").
It is the very same gospel that they have been proclaiming all along since
John the baptizer, "telling the people to believe in Him who comes later,
that is in Jesus" (Acts 19:4).
Just as Jesus said, "Believe in the Light so that you can become sons of
light," John 12:36.
And to Nicodemus he said that one cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he
is born again, which He explained as, "whoever believes in Him would have
everlasting life."
Just as John clarified, "but as many as received Him to them He gave
authority to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in His
name." John 1:12.
Earlier they were told that they would be the proclaimers of THAT gospel
right up until He comes back.
"You will not finish with the cities of Israel until the Son of man comes."
Mat. 10:23.
And then later, "And you are witnesses of these things," (Luke 24:48); "in
Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the
earth" (Acts 1:8).
So that "Repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name
to all the nations beginning in Jerusalem," Luke 24:44.
"Go therefore and make disciples . . ." (Mat. 28:19-20). Those who become
disciples through the ministry of "a disciple of the kingdom of God,"
likewise becomes a disciple of the kingdom.
Obviously, they did not proclaim UNTIL His coming. BUT they started and were
the foundation layers of the group (the "new nation") that would be the
proclaimers of the kingdom of God throughout the next unknown number of
years until the Son of man comes back.
Jesus gave them the commission to proclaim the gospel after His resurrection
(Acts 1:8), which is exactly what happened. Acts 8:25, 40; 14:7, 15, 21;
15:7; 16:10; 20:24-25; 28:23, 31.
And it is the same gospel mentioned in the letters of Paul and Peter.
The model prayer that Jesus suggested at Mat. 6:9-13 (verse 10) includes the
expression of this attitude, "may Your kingdom come, may Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven."
This expresses in prayer the desire of the believer that God's kingdom
standards might be promoted here on earth as believers represent (seek
first) the kingdom of God in their lives. This is definitely NOT praying for
the millennial kingdom to arrive.
And this is what Paul is writing about at Col. 4:11, "fellow workers for the
kingdom of God."
The kingdom of God needs to be PRESENTLY represented and promoted because it
is CURRENTLY under attack. Jesus clarified this at Mat. 11:12.
"And from the days of John the baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is
under attack and attackers are plundering it."
This constant attack from false doctrine (the doctrine of demons) needs to
be repulsed, and it is the testimony of believers that pushes back against
the evil.
That spiritual factor is the primary focus as seen in its amplification in
the New Covenant. They were not looking for an earthly kingdom.
There is no specific mention of an earthly kingdom in the apostolic
writings.
In fact, the apostolic writings reflect exactly what Jesus taught about
entrance into, and living here and now in the kingdom of God.
THE KINGDOM PARABLES
The kingdom of God is the realm of God's viewpoint and authority in the
universe. Anyone who trusts in the Messianic promise enters into the kingdom
of God as a child of God. Such a one usually remains here on earth with the
responsibility and privilege of representing God's viewpoint to others. The
kingdom of God in the teachings of Jesus refers to (1) entrance into that
kingdom through the new birth by trusting in Christ as Savior, or (2) living
in the kingdom here on earth as God's representatives, or (3) status in the
heavenly kingdom after the second coming of Christ.
Jesus did not have the earthly, Davidic kingdom in mind as He taught about
divine values for living here on earth. However, those same values also will
be operative in the earthly kingdom.
Matthew 13 provides us with some of the parables that teach about the
mysteries of the kingdom of God (heaven). These have nothing to do with the
earthly kingdom promised to Israel through David.
1. Parable of the sower: entrance into the spiritual kingdom through
acceptance of the gospel, and then growth and production during the
believer's life.
2. Parable of the wheat and tares: Progress of God's kingdom influence in a
sinful universe up until the last judgment. Wheat gathered into the barn is
heaven.
His kingdom is not the mil kingdom. It is the entire realm of His authority,
as it has been since it was first mentioned at Psalm 145:11-13.
This is the theme of all of Christ's teachings.
3. Parable of the mustard seed: Progress of God's kingdom influence in a
sinful universe from its "arrival" via Christ's first parousia "through" the
mil kingdom and then fully encompassing (once again) all of the universe
when all darkness and evil will be completely dispelled, and only
righteousness remains.
4. Parable of the leaven: Progress of God's kingdom influence in a sinful
universe as His righteousness is promoted through the ministry of His
servants and His plan advances from stage to stage until fully completed
after the last judgment. Then the whole universe will be completely
saturated with the righteousness of God.
5. Parable of the treasure: Service parable that reflects the attitude that
places greatest value on the standards of God's kingdom: righteousness,
justice, mercy and love. Reflects the attitude of Mat. 6:33. This applies to
believers right here and now.
6. Parable of the pearl: Service parable that reflects the attitude that
places greatest value on the standards of God's kingdom: righteousness,
justice, mercy and love. Reflects the attitude of Mat. 6:33. This applies to
believers right here and now.
7. Parable of the dragnet: this is exactly like the wheat and tares parable.
The end of the age is that final stage of God's plan for His kingdom when at
the last judgment all unbelievers are removed from this life and cast into
the lake (furnace) of fire.
OTHER PARABLES
8. Parable of the wicked servant: Mat. 18:21-35. Teaches about mercy and
forgiveness as the believer lives right now in the kingdom of God here on
earth (Rom. 14:17).
9. Parable of the hired workers: Mat. 20:1-16. Illustration of equality in
status. Even the one who becomes a believer at the last hour of his life on
earth is equally a citizen of the kingdom of God.
10. Parable of the landowner: Mat. 21:33-43. Teaches about the failure of
the nation of Israel and its temporary replacement by another group who will
represent the kingdom of God on the earth; IE. the church.
11. Parable of the wedding feast. Mat. 22:1-14. Teaches about Israel's
failure and replacement with a new representative of God's kingdom. The
feast represents the privilege and function of being an evangelistic servant
of God. It also speaks of qualification. Only believers qualify to be
representatives of God's kingdom here on the earth.
12. Parable of the faithful servant. Mat. 24:45-51. Teaches about salvation
preparation before the second coming of Jesus. Mankind in general. The
faithful servant is a believer. The unfaithful servant is an unbeliever who
ends up in outer darkness; weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13. Parable of the virgins: Mat. 25:1-13. The Spiritual truth taught is:
If you are not prepared when Jesus comes back at the Day of the Lord,
you will not go up at the gathering of the elect.
14. Parable of the talents: Mat. 25:14-30. The primary issue is
accountability to the salvation message that one has received. Two accept
the gospel and "enter into the joy of your Master."
One does not accept the gospel and is rejected to outer darkness.
15. Parable of the unrighteous steward: Luke 16:1-13. In this parable, which
is only recorded by Luke, Jesus taught about a proper understanding and
utilization of material resources.
SOME DISORIENTED PEOPLE
The gospel accounts provide some examples of people who were disoriented to
the true nature of the kingdom of God as present and represented by Christ's
first coming.
The thief on the cross certainly had some kind of awareness of the Messiah's
kingdom as indicated by his request.
What if the thief doesn't know what he is talking about? He probably knows
nothing about what Jesus has been teaching. He knows about the promises
about the coming Messiah and the promised kingdom. He recognizes and accepts
Jesus as the coming Messiah - fulfilling "whoever believes in Him has
everlasting life."
Jesus immediately took the focus off of any "future" earthly kingdom and
focused on the FACT of relationship with God, "today you will be with me in
paradise."
He basically said, "I recognize your faith in Me and assure you that your
sins have been forgiven and we will be together in paradise on this very
day."
At Matthew 20:20-28, the request by James and John and their mother is a
strange thing. They also don't know what they are talking about as Jesus
made perfectly clear.
Don't focus on any "future" kingdom, or petty disputes about who is better
or has a higher rank or function.
Right now the issue is "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to
serve and to give his life as a ransom for the many," which clearly echoes
Isaiah 53.
Jesus always steered the peoples' thinking away from an earthly kingdom and
focused on the here and now, "the kingdom of God is among you," AND the
future HEAVENLY participation in the kingdom of God.
The large group of disciples as He entered Jerusalem.
John 12:12-16; Mark 11:1-10; Mat. 21:1-9, 15-16.
Luke 19:37-38, "praised be the one who comes in the name of the Lord; peace
in heaven and glory in the highest places."
This large group of disciples was comprised of people with different levels
of understanding about Jesus, and proclaimed various things from that
understanding.
Some of them were simply occupied with the miracles they had witnessed.
Some were looking for the king to sit on David's throne and bring
deliverance from the Roman oppression.
They understood that the arrival of Jesus as the Messiah was a fulfillment
of the prophecies in the Psalms, and was a bona fide proclamation.
Jesus confirmed this as He told the Pharisees, "if these become silent even
the stones will cry out."
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus at John 24:21-27, "But we were
hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel." They had not related
that "redemption" to the cross (Isaiah 53).
John 24:25-27, " And then He said to them, “You foolish men and slow of
heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not
necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them
the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.
And of course, as already discussed, the disciples were a bit disoriented
even after Christ's resurrection. Acts 1:6, "is it at this time You are
restoring the kingdom to Israel?"
After so, "then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and
He said to them, “So it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise
from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of
sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from
Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things." Luke 24:45-48
THE SECOND ADVENT
Now, just as the presence of the spiritual kingdom of God was realized
through the presence of Jesus at His first coming, so also the presence of
the resurrection phase of the kingdom of God will be realized through the
second parousia of Jesus.
That's why Jesus says TO and FOR the church age believers (represented by
the disciples as the foundation layers of the church), when they see the
signs of His coming, then the kingdom of God is at hand. Luke 21:31.
He is not talking about the physical, earthly kingdom.
That earthly kingdom is incidental to Christ's arrival in judgment.
It is a parenthesis in between His arrival of Mat. 16:27 and the last
judgment of Rev.20:11-15.
Mat. 16:27, "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father
with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds."
Matthew 25:31-46 teaches about the removal of all unbelievers from the earth
after the battle of Armageddon and prior to the establishment of the earthly
kingdom.
However, the focus of both blessing and cursing is one's eternal destiny and
not life in the earthly kingdom.
SUMMARY
What Jesus taught, what the disciples taught and what the apostles taught
was exactly the same message - entrance into the kingdom and standards for
living as citizens of that kingdom.
That message had as its primary focus living for God (seek first His kingdom
and His righteousness) during one's life here on earth. But the message
sometimes extended beyond this earthly life to the eternal kingdom; the
resurrection.
Jesus never taught specifically about the earthly kingdom that was promised
to the nation of Israel, and that includes the symbolism He employed at Mat.
8:11-12, which has reference to participation in the everlasting spiritual
kingdom of God.
The Bible teaches that the kingdom of God is a present spiritual reality
that the believer participates in through trust in Jesus as the
Messiah/Savior.
The person who trusts in Christ is presently IN THE KINGDOM as a child of
God.
That person "has been delivered out from the authority of darkness and
TRANSFERRED INTO the kingdom of His beloved Son." Col. 1:13.
He has become a kingdom citizen, and has access to all the spiritual
benefits for living in this present world as representatives of God's
kingdom viewpoint and policy.
The focus of Christ's teachings (as well as John the baptizer and the
apostles) is:
1. Entrance into the kingdom of God through belief in the gospel.
One must first "receive" the kingdom God, and then by that "receiving"
actually enter it. Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17.
2. Living here on the earth as citizens of the kingdom.
3. The second coming of Jesus when He brings the resurrection reality of the
kingdom and brings the final judgment upon all who reject God (2Thes.
1:8-9).
All the FUTURE aspects of the kingdom in His teachings look to a HEAVENLY
and resurrection experience of the kingdom (Luke 21:31; Acts 14:22); and to
the last judgment (Mat. 25:41, 46).
Included in this span of time is indeed the earthly kingdom of David's
greater Son, the Lord Messiah. But this is not in view either in the
teachings of Jesus nor in the teachings of the disciples after His
resurrection. And that includes Mat. 8:11-12; 19:28 and 26:29.
4. The last judgment, which is the final stage of God's plan to remove
unrighteousness from the universe once and for all. It is at this time that
all who are unrighteous will be cast into the furnace (lake) of fire.
The kingdom of God throughout the gospels, Acts and the epistles is the same
thing. It is the "realm" of God's authority, viewpoint and plan. We enter
into it by faith in Christ and remain here on earth to live it out and
represent it to the world. Everyone who trusted in Christ (the gospel of the
kingdom) while He was here entered the kingdom. The apostles proclaimed the
same thing We are in the kingdom of God NOW (phase 1) and will enter phase 2
(face to face with the Lord) when we die, and phase 3 at the resurrection.
The earthly kingdom is only one aspect of the future administration of God's
kingdom. It was not pertinent in Christ's teachings nor in the teachings of
the apostles.
SUMMARY OF THE PROCLAMATION
The message of John the baptizer:
Mat. 3:1-3, "change your mind (about God) for the kingdom of the heavens
(God) is at hand (has arrived)." Mark 1:4; Luke 3:2-3.
Luke 3:18, "he proclaimed the gospel to the people."
John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world."
Acts 19:4, John was "telling the people to believe in Him who was coming
after him, that is, in Jesus."
The message of Jesus: Mt.4:13-17 based on Luke 4:18-21
The message of the early church:
A. Philip: Acts 8:12, about the kingdom of God
B. Paul: Acts 19:8-10; 20:32; 20:25; 28:23, 31 - "about the kingdom of God."
C. 1 Cor. 15:50, "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God."
D. Gal. 5:21 and Eph. 5:5, inheriting the spiritual kingdom of God.
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