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"THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM"
The Establishment Of The Kingdom
INTRODUCTION
1. We've seen the nature of the kingdom as revealed in the Scriptures...
a. It is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical kingdom - cf. Lk 17:
20-21; Jn 18:36
b. It is the reign of God as manifested in the person of Jesus Christ
- cf. Mt 12:28; 28:18
2. We now consider questions related to the establishment of the
kingdom...
a. Has the kingdom of God been established?
b. Is the kingdom of God yet to be established?
c. Is the kingdom God therefore present or future? Could it be both?
[Let's seek to answer such questions by first noting scriptures which
speak of...]
I. THE KINGDOM OF GOD FORETOLD
A. PRIOR TO JESUS' COMING...
1. By the prophet Daniel - Dan 2:44
a. God would establish a kingdom in the days of the fourth
empire (Roman)
b. A kingdom which would never be destroyed
2. By the angel Gabriel - Lk 1:31-33
a. Her son (Jesus) would be given the throne of David
b. Of His kingdom there will be no end
B. DURING JESUS' MINISTRY...
1. At the beginning - Mk 1:14-15
a. The time was fulfilled (the time foretold by Daniel?)
b. The kingdom is "at hand" ("has come near" NRSV)
2. At the height - Mt 12:28; Mk 9:1-9
a. The kingdom "has come upon you"
b. The kingdom "present with power"
3. At the end - Lk 23:42,51; Mk 15:43; Ac 1:3,6
a. The thief on the cross and Joseph of Arimathaea looked for
the kingdom
b. After the resurrection, Jesus taught and His disciples
inquired about the kingdom
[During His earthly ministry, there was much anticipation about the
kingdom. His miracles and transfiguration were a preview of the glory
and majesty of His reign (cf. 2 Pe 1:16-18). It would be after His
ascension to heaven that we read of...]
II. THE KINGDOM OF GOD PRESENT
A. THE KINGDOM NOW EXISTS...
1. By virtue of Jesus' authority and rule
a. He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth - Mt
28:18
b. He has been made both Lord and Christ - Ac 2:36
c. All things have been placed under His feet - Ep 1:20-22
d. All authorities and powers have been made subject to Him
- 1 Pe 3:22
2. The reign of God is now administered by Jesus
a. He is now "the ruler over the kings of the earth" - Re 1:5
b. He has received power to rule the nations with a rod of iron
- Re 2:26-27
c. He is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" - 1 Ti 6:14-15
d. He must reign until all enemies are placed under His feet
- 1 Co 15:25-26
B. THE KINGDOM IS NOW PRESENT...
1. Note what is said about those in the church
a. They were being called into the kingdom - 1 Th 2:12
b. They had been translated (conveyed) into the kingdom - Co 1:
13
c. They were receiving the kingdom - He 12:28
d. They were companions in the kingdom - Re 1:9
2. The church is that community of souls in whose hearts Christ is
recognized as sovereign
a. They have confessed Christ as Lord - cf. Ro 10:9-10; 1 Pe 3:
15
b. They freely submit to the Lord in the day of His power - cf.
Psa 110:1-3
3. Thus the terms "church" and "kingdom" are often used
interchangeably
a. As when Jesus spoke to Peter - Mt 16:18
b. The comments made to Christians in the church - Co 1:13;
1 Th 2:12
c. The description of those in the seven churches of Asia - Re
1:4,6,9
[The kingdom of God (i.e., the reign of Christ) reaches beyond those in
the church (cf. Psa 110), but it benefits those in the church (cf. Ep
1:22-23). Its benefits are such that we often read of...]
III. THE KINGDOM OF GOD FUTURE
A. JESUS SPOKE OF ITS FUTURE...
1. In the parable of the tares - Mt 13:40-43
a. The kingdom is both present and future
b. At the end of the age, the righteous will shine in the
kingdom of their Father
2. In describing the judgment - Mt 25:34
a. When the Son of Man comes in His glory
b. Those blessed will inherit the kingdom prepared from the
foundation of the world
B. APOSTLES WROTE OF ITS FUTURE...
1. The apostle Paul
a. Exhorting Christians to be steadfast and holy - Ac 14:22;
1 Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21
b. Expounding on the hope of the resurrection - 1 Co 15:22-26,
50
c. Expressing his own hope for the future - 2 Ti 4:18
2. The apostle Peter, describing how we might have an abundant
entrance "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ" - 2 Pe 1:10-11
CONCLUSION
1. When Jesus ascended to heaven...
a. He sat down on the throne of David as both Lord and Christ - Ac 2:
29-36; cf. Lk 1:31-33
b. He began His kingly reign that exceeds far beyond that of David
- Dan 7:13-14; cf. Ac 1:9-11
1) David ruled over the nation of Israel
2) Jesus rules over all things, including His church - Ep 1:20-22
-- While His reign (kingdom) was prefigured even during His earthly
ministry, it was fully established when He ascended to heaven and
sat God's right hand
2. While His kingdom is present, it is also future...
a. When He comes, it will not be to establish His kingdom, but
deliver it to God - 1 Co 15:22-26
b. He will do so, having removed all things that offend and practice
lawlessness- Mt 13:41
-- The kingdom of God in Christ, inaugurated with His first coming,
will be culminated at His second coming!
Indeed, the kingdom that began when Jesus ascended is an everlasting
kingdom that will never be destroyed! When He returns, don't you want
to be a part of that kingdom He delivers to the Father? Then you must
be born again (cf. Jn 3:3-5; Ti 3:5; Mk 16:15-16)...
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© Mark A. Copeland, 2001
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