The KingdomA brief overview

The importance of this study

• Much religious confusion exists on the subject of the “kingdom”

• Not merely an academic question

• How we view the kingdom directly affects our “hope”– A future hope, or a present reality

2 Timothy 2:15

Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

• This admonition is especially important when dealing with this Bible subject

The nature of kingdoms

• Physical kingdoms have certain characteristics:– Are made by men

– Have a geography

– Can be seen (coming and going)

• Israel was a physical kingdom (OT)

The nature of kingdoms 2

• A spiritual kingdom will have certain characteristics:– Not made by men

– No definable geography

– Cannot be seen with the human eye

• The church is a spiritual kingdom (NT)

The kingdom in prophecy

• While God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and created a “nation” for Himself, such was NOT the kingdom that would later be established

• Many OT scriptures revealed the spiritual kingdom that would come later

2 Samuel 7:12-13

When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

The Promise to David

• After David’s death (not in his lifetime)

• From David’s seed (descendants)

• God would establish HIS kingdom

• HE would build a house for God

• HIS kingdom would be “forever”

Isaiah 2:1-41. The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and

Jerusalem. 2. And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of

Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

3. And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.

4. And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Daniel 2 & 72:44-45 And in the days of those kings shall the God of

heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45. Forasmuch as thou sawest that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands

7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Zechariah 6:12-13and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build the temple of Jehovah; 13. even he shall build the temple of Jehovah; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

The Coming Kingdom• This was the message shortly before the

cross: the kingdom is near• Matthew 3:1-2 And in those days

cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying, 2. Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

• Matthew 4:17 From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

To be established

Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power.

To be prayed for…

• Matthew 6:9-10 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

EstablishedActs 2:29-32 Brethren, I may say unto you

freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. 30. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; 31. he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32. This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Prophecy fullfilledActs 2:33-36 Being therefore by the right hand

of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. 34. For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35. Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. 36. Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

Kingdom here, not coming

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women

Colossians 1:12-14

…giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; 13. who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; 14. in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins

Revelation 1:9• I John, your brother and partaker with

you in tribulation and kingdom and patience which are in Jesus…

• Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:

Keys to the KingdomMatthew 16:17-19 And Jesus answered

and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18. And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19. I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:

Keys used in Acts 2

• To open the door of the kingdom

• The Gospel was preached

• Believers were “born again” – cf. Acts 2:38 and John 3:3-5

• The saved entered the kingdom of God. – cf. Colossians 1:13

Kingdom to be delivered1 Corinthians 15:22-24 For as in Adam all

die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24. Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.

The 1,000 Year Reign• Revelation 20:1-6• A spiritual reign of those “beheaded”

for the cause of Christ – vs. 4• A symbolic time (1,000 years) for the

church age• Remember the kingdom of prophecy

would be an everlasting kingdom with NO end

Summary

• From the time of the OT prophets the kingdom was promised (future)

• From the time of John, the Baptist the kingdom was near

• In the book of Acts forward the kingdom is presented as “established”

Are YOU in the kingdom?• Do you recognize Jesus as King?• Have you been born again?• John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily,

verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!