Revealing Eschatology.

The Power and Glory of God"s Creation.

The Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is the great theme of the scriptures. God is the eternal King who rules now and shall rule in the future. It is in the Kingdom of God that the purposes of God are fulfilled. And since the term "Kingdom of God" is an important concept, it is important to define the term and note the distinct ways it is used in the scriptures. To get a clear picture of the Kingdom of God, a large number of scripture verses needs to be studied. When we speak of a "kingdom" certain elements are included in our understanding of the term. The normal use of the term kingdom expresses a dominion or physical sphere of a rule involving a ruler, a people who are ruled, and a physical territory where the rule takes place. As it is used in the scriptures, the term "Kingdom of God" refers to the rule of the sovereign God over his creation. In both the general concept of a kingdom and in the bibical idea of the Kingdom of God, three essential elements are found.

There must be a ruler, with authority and power to rule. In the Kingdom of God, that ruler is our sovereign God. The authority of God to rule is discussed throughout the scriptures, all the way to the book of Revelation. The apostle John refers to the "throne" of God some 30 times. The throne speaks of the seat of authority, with God seen as the sovereign ruler. There must be a "realm" to rule. This element of a kingdom focuses on the subjects to be ruled and not on the authority possessed by the ruler. In the Kingdom of God, God exercises his rule over those in the heavens and on the earth. When bibical passages are studied in their contexts, an authority over someone or something is found. A kingdom cannot really exist without subjects. If there is only authority but no subjects in a realm, then by definition no kingdom really exists. There can be no kingdom in a full and complete sense without the active exercising of that authority. God does actually exercise his power and authority over the realm of his creation. In 1 Chron. 29-11-12, David includes all three of these essential elements when he speaks of the Kingdom of God. The bibical concept of the Kingdom of God therefore, includes a ruler who has authority to rule, a realm of subjects that he rules, and the actual exercising of the rulership. The scriptures speak of the Kingdom as being a present reality (no starting point) and yet something that will not begin until a future time. The Psalms speak of the Lord as presently ruling as a King (Ps. 29-10), but Zechariah says that he "will be" the king (Zech. 14-9). Daniel agrees with Zechariah as he speaks of the day when the Son of man will rule after all the kingdoms of man are destroyed (Dan. 7-13-14).

Another difference is the distinction in the "scope" of the kingdom. Sometimes the Bible speaks of the kingdom as being "universal" in its scope, including all created things. David declared that "the Lord has established his throne in the heavens; and his sovereignty rules over all." (Ps. 103-19). There is absolutely nothing outside that kingdom. Yet on the other hand, the kingdom is also revealed as "earthly" in scope. When God establishes such a kingdom, it will encompass the whole earth (Dan. 2-44-45), and Christ will rule from his throne (Isa. 24-23; Zech. 14-4-9).

Finally there is the distinction in administration. The kingdom sometimes is presented as the rule of God directly, with no human mediator ruling on God's behalf. God administers his own rule over any or all parts of the creation (Ps. 59-13; Dan. 4-34-37). In contrast to this, God's rule is also administered indirectly through a human mediator. For example, in Psalms 2 the Messiah is that mediator who will rule over the nations of the earth. He stands in God's place, since he is identified by God as "My King" and any who oppose him will be subject to the wrath of God. So God the King can rule directly or indirectly.

The spiritual Kingdom of God. This is the rule of God over all those who are believers. Anyone from Adam until now who has been born again is part of this phase of God's Kingdom (Col. 1-13). When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about entering into the kingdom by the new birth, this is the aspect of the kingdom he was referring to (John 3-1-10). The true church of Jesus Christ is equivalent to this aspect of the Kingdom of God. However, it is important to note that the spiritual kingdom was in existence before the church began on the Day of Pentecost and will continue to exist till the end of time.

The theocratic Kingdom of God. The term "theocratic" simply ,means "the rule of God." This phrase speaks of God's rule over a temporal, human kingdom. This speaks of God's rule over the earth, in contrast to his rule over the universe, and of his indirect administration, in contrast to direct ruling, through human mediators. More specifically, it refers to God's rule over the nation of Israel. This aspect of the kingdom was established at Mt. Sinai when Israel entered into a covenant relationship with God and agreed to keep God's Law. This law code became the constitution of the nation of Israel. After the Israelites left Mt. Sinai, they entered and possessed Canaan. God established no human leader after the death of Joshua, since it was his intention to rule the nation through the Mosaic Law, which was administered through the priests. But disobedience and failure marked this period of time. It lasted for over three hundred years, at which time Israel demanded a king. The human administrators of the kingdom then became the kings of Israel and Judah. But this aspect of the theocratic kingdom ended in failure also. The prophet Ezekiel traces the departure of the Shekinah Glory, which in the OLd Testament was a symbol of the presence of God ( Ezek. 8-4;10-18;11-22-23). With this departure God marks the close of the theocratic kingdom in Israel's past history. The times of the Gentiles began, to which Israel is set aside until Messiah would come. With the end of the theocratic kingdom, the focus of attention was on the future, when Messiah would come and bring in the kingdom promised to David.

The mystery form of the Kingdom of God. This aspect of the Kingdom of God exists between the two advents of Christ, more specifically, between the time when Jesus was rejected by the nation of Israel, until the time all believers Jew and Gentile alike are to be saved. In this mystery form of the kingdom the ruler is God. The ruled are people on the earth who have related themselves in a positive, neutral or negative way to Christendom. The time is the period between his comings. Unlike the spiritual kingdom, unbelievers are a part of this aspect of God's Kingdom. This we call the church age.

The eternal Kingdom of God. Dan. 2-44 declares that the "God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed---it will itself endure forever." This kingdom spoken of by Daniel comes into existence only "after all" the kingdoms of man are totally removed from the earth. This Kingdom of God does not co-exist with human kingdoms. Once Jesus returns at his second coming no created being will ever again establish a kingdom and rule anywhere in the universe. In 1 Cor. 15-23-28, the apostle Paul teaches that Jesus "delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father" (v.24). Jesus does this after he has rendered inoperative every enemy, including rebellious men, evil angels, and death (v.v.25-26). Paul said that all of Jesus' enemies will be put "under his feet"(v.25). The dominion over the earth that Adam lost in the fall will be fully recovered by Christ. When this occurs Christ will turn over the kingdom rule to the Father for the eternal reign over a new heaven and new earth. Paradise will be restored. What God originally intended when he created this universe, will completely and eternally come to pass.

God chose his own kingdom of men and women over which he would rule, the spiritual descendants of Abraham. Until the destruction of Satan's kingdom, the Kingdom of God would be a spiritual kingdom ruled by God from heaven, rather than a physical kingdom on earth. When questioned by Pilate, Christ explained that "My kingdom is not of the world--my kingdom is not of this realm--I am a king--for this I have come into the world--Everyone who is of the truth (citizens of God's kingdom) hears my voice (John 18-36-37). Likewise Peter when referring to the saints in the kingdom of God refers to them as "those who reside as aliens" (1 Peter 1-1). In his letter to Ephesus Paul explains that God chose people (not a nation) to become his spiritual kingdom, men and women who would trust and obey him. "He chose us in him before the foundation of the world," Paul says "that we should be holy and blameless before him in love he predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the kind intention of his will" (Ephe. 1-4-5).

Paul then reminds the chosen kingdom of God; "You were (spiritually) dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formally walked according to the course of the world, according to the prince of power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience--but God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ" (Ephe. 2-1-2,4-5). The promises of God were given to Abraham, through whom "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12-3). God ordained that no one would become part of his kingdom merely because of Jewish ancestry, but solely through the divinely bestowed faith he would give to those he specifically chose and redeemed out of the kingdom of darkness (Ephe. 2-8-9; Heb. 11-1-2). Paul writes, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" (Ephe. 2-8-9). Paul also explains, "They are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants--That is it is not the children of the "flesh" (the natural seed of Abraham) who are children of God, but the children of the "promise" (the spiritual seed of Abraham) are regarded as descendants" (Romans 9-6-8).

It is for this reason that Christ told the Jews who had professed to believe in him, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father---, you are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father (John 8-39-41,44). Paul therefore assures both Jews and Gentiles; "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" (Gal. 3-29). In essence, God's Kingdom was and is the obedient remnant within both the natural line of Abraham and the church in general who by faith accept the Lordship of God over their individual lives.

God chose when he would destroy the kingdom of Satan, at the time called "the Day of the Lord." That specific time will be the Day of the Lord when God will unleash his wrath on all ungodliness, completely, and eternally destroying Satan's earthly kingdom and all of its inhabitants, the ungodly. Christ therefore, is the one found worthy to ultimately judge the kingdom of Satan at his second coming. As Christ explained to his disciples just before his death; "For this purpose I came to this hour---. Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out" (John 12-27,31). Paul further explained this truth as recorded in Acts 17-30-31; "God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because he has fixed a day (the Day of the Lord) in which he will judge the world in righteousness through a man (Christ) whom he has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising him from the dead." And so through Christ, God will bring to fulfillment his Kingdom as he determined in eternity past. God determined to redeem back from the kingdom of darkness, men and women of his own choosing to become the Kingdom of God, elected before the foundation of the world (Ephe. 1-4; Romans 8-29-30). To complete the Kingdom of God through the salvation of the remnant of Jews from the tribe of Israel (Romans 11-1-2,26-27). To bring an end to Satan's rule over the earth (Rev. 11-15). To destroy the inhabitants and armies of the kingdom of Satan (Rev. 19-11-21). To establish Christ as rightful King (Dan. 7-11-14,26-27), over an earthly kingdom in "a new heaven and earth"( Rev. 21-1-8), for all eternity with the Lord our God.

As was noted, the definition of a kingdom, here earthly, is there must be a ruler to rule directly or indirectly through administrators. A realm, here earthly. Subjects, here being the body of Christ exercising that authority delegated to them. Thus, the body of Christ fulfills the biblical context of the Kingdom of God; the Kingdom of Christ on earth. And is just as much a physical kingdom as it is a spiritual kingdom. And the New Testament calls this earthly kingdom, "the house of Israel", the Kingdom of God, with the Lord ruling on his throne. This is the "mystery form of the Kingdom of God" now existing on earth until all is fulfilled. The New Testament teaches that the church of Jesus Christ is made up of all those of the Covenant, and he designated this body of believers, the house of Israel, the Israel of God. All faithful believers in God, past, present and future, are defined by God as being members of the Israel of God, the house of Israel and the children of the promise.

If we look closely to the Old Testament scriptures that speak of the "future restoration of the house of Israel" and the promises to come for her, with the bringing in of the New Covenant concerning the house, the kingdom, the throne; (the Davidic Covenant); we would see they include the physical seed of Israel, and the "grafted in seed of Israel also." Because these promises were unconditional, they would apply and be fulfilled to "both" the nation of Israel and the grafted in of Israel. Thus the house of Israel as a whole would receive these promises the Lord promised David. Even though when Israel became a nation again in unbelief, it came to pass because of the Lord's word, of that unconditional promise he made to them. And as he promised, it would be in the last days when he would fulfill that promise. This promise is seen in Isa. 44-3,5 and in Ezek. 34-23,27,29,30-31 where the Lord says; "And I will set up one shepherd (Messiah) over them, and he shall feed them, my servant David (the promised seed-Christ); he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd---.And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land,---. And I will raise up for them a plant (literal-a garden) of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen anymore. Thus shalt they know that I the Lord their God (am) with them, and they, the house of Israel my people, saith the Lord God. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture (Jew and Gentile are) men, (and) I (am) your God, saith the Lord God."

We see under the New Covenant, he would plant both Israel and the grafted in of Israel, in their own land, in the same way he had done with the Israel of the Old Covenant. The grafted in of Israel would receive the same blessings and curses given to the Israel of the Old Covenant. These promises are seen in Ezek. 37-15-28, where it has been fulfilled in part, and waits its total fulfillment at the Lord's coming. Under the New Covenant the stick of Joseph (Ephraim) and the tribes of Israel will be put with the stick of Judah and become "one" in the Lord's hand. This is to mean that when the New Covenant is brought in through Christ who would come from the tribe of Judah, they would become "one". With the New Covenant, this would include the "grafted in Israel" as well, that would come through Christ of the tribe of Judah.

Concerning the Jewish nation of Israel, the Lord would fulfill the land covenant promise to the physical seed of Israel seen in Ezek. 37-25. This promise for the Jews was fulfilled in 1948 when Israel became a nation again in their own land. "And they (the Jewish nation) shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, they and their children, and their children's children forever; and my servant David ( Christ shall be) their prince forever." The word "forever" here is to mean Israel would remain as a nation in their land until the coming of Christ. Ezek. 37-22, "---And one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all." Note here, the Lord would be "King" over them all, and they would be "one kingdom", political and religious. Here, the Lord would be King, rule and reign over this earthly kingdom. Thus this kingdom is a literal earthly kingdom and not just a spiritual church kingdom as many teach concerning the Kingdom of God. We see it is a literal kingdom with God reigning as King over this kingdom. The literal kingdom does not come in in the millennial age as many teach, for there is no millennium to come (to be discussed later), but only the eternal state at the end of this age. The literal earthly kingdom that is growing in the Lord is what has come to be called the church age. Where then at the fulfillment of all prophecy and the coming of Christ, it brings in the eternal state (see 1 Cor. 15-25). Ezekiel 37-27-28 tells us that "My tabernacle (dwelling place) also shall be with them (in their midst); yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen ( Gentiles) shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel (all Israel), when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them forever more" ( At the end of the age to the eternal state. See Ezek. chapters 40-48 and Rev. 21-22).

We go to Micah 4-1-2 where we read, "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain (Kingdom) of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains (above other kingdoms), and it shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow unto it." In scripture the word "mountain" or "mountains" is commonly used as a figure of speech to mean a "kingdom" or "kingdoms." Thus this mountain kingdom would be exalted above them all, above other kingdoms. And it would contain in it the house of the Lord. It would contain the physical seed of Israel, the Jews, and the grafted in of Israel. They would come from the four corners of the world to this great  mountain. That mountain that would come to be called America. And the Lord would exalt it above all the mountains (kingdoms) and hills. "And many nations (peoples, lanquages, kings, etc.) shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth (out) of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (see also Isa. 2-1-3). We can see from the scriptures that the promises given to the nation of Israel were also to be given, in a similar way, to the grafted in of Israel.

In 1 Cor. 12-27-28 we read, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some ( appointed some) in the church, first apostles, second prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities (varieties) of tongues." So it can be seen here that the members of Christ's body would be appointed by God to cover all the functions necessary to make up a church and a civil government that would be made up and ruled by God in that body being raised, like Israel of the Old Covenant.

Going to 1 Peter 2-9 we read, "Ye (are) a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (kingdom), a perculiar people (his special people); that ye should show (proclaim) forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." With the New Covenant this is what began to be created with this chosen generation in what is called the church age. It would be a royal priesthood, and become a holy nation, a religious and political kingdom, a special people to proclaim the gospel and praises of Him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. We see this in Rev. 1-6,9 through Christ's New Covenant he "hath made us "kings and priests" unto God and his Father; to him (be) glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.---I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation (persecution), and "in the kingdom" (the kingdom of god on earth), and patience of Jesus Christ,---."

We can see this earthly kingdom of God in Matt. 13-38-41 where the Lord explains the parable of the wheat and tares. He explains that "the field is the world (this world); the good seed are the children (lit. sons) of the kingdom (that are in this church kingdom world age); but the tares are the children of the wicked (one); the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world (church age); and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of HIS KINGDOM (presently on earth at that time) all things that offend, and them which do iniquity." This can be seen as cleansing and sanctifying his sanctuary, his earthly church kingdom, so that it can enter God's perfect and heavenly Kingdom clean and pure ( see Rev. 19-7-8).

In closing, the Lord's promises given for both the nation of Israel and the grafted in of Israel, seen in the Old and New Testament have been fulfilled. For the Jewish nation, it came to fulfillment in 1948, and for the grafted in Israel it came to fulfillment in 1776 when we became a nation established under God.

Comments? > http://www.twospiritshendora.com/apps/blog/