Last week we looked at the word "Christ" and at Jesus being King and having a kingdom.
Today we'll look into His kingdom a little further.
The promotion of His kingdom was central to the ministry He conducted on the earth. At the onset of His ministry in Mt. 4:23 we read that "Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom..." Also in Lk. 8:33 we read that Jesus "went about through the cities and villages, preaching and bringing good tidings of the kingdom of God..." A little later He sent His disciples out "to preach the kingdom of God..." (Lk. 9:2) One cannot forget in Mt. 13 His parables on the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" when He often made the statement, "the kingdom of heaven is like..." Jesus even taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come..."
At this point you may already be asking what is the difference between the "kingdom of God," and the "kingdom of heaven," which is a good question. Both phrases are actually used interchangeably for the same thing. The "kingdom of heaven," being exclusively used in the book of Matthew only.
Before Jesus began teaching the kingdom, John the Baptist was already on the scene preaching, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt. 4:16) Yet, the phrase is far older than even John.
If we turn to the OT, we come at once, to a passage in Daniel where God revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar the kingdoms that would come on the earth, and the one kingdom that the God of heaven would set up that would never be destroyed, that would last forever. (2:44) Then in Daniel 7:13-14 again we see reference to the kingdom, an everlasting dominion, that shall never be destroyed, ruled by the "Son of man."
I'm sure that you are familiar with the phrase "Son of man" that Jesus often used to refer to Himself as. The Jews in His day recognized it as a title for the Messiah, the King that is to come and established this everlasting kingdom spoken of Daniel.
It helps to bring clarity to the following passages:
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man (the King) hath power on earth to forgive sins, - Mt. 9:6
8 For the Son of man (the King) is Lord even of the sabbath day. - Mt. 12:8
41 The Son of man (the King) shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; - Mt. 13:41
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man (the King) am? - Mt. 16:13
27 For the Son of man (the King) shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man (the King) coming in his kingdom. - Mt. 16:27-28
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man (the King) be. - Mt 24:27
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man (the King) in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man (the King) coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. - Mt. 24:30
31 When the Son of man (the King) shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: - Mt. 25:31-34
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: - Mt. 25:31-34
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man (the King). - Jn.5:26-27
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man (the King). - Jn.5:26-27
There are many other passages on the "Son of man" that I encourage you to study further on your own. Of note, the title "Son of God," is synonymous or equivalent in meaning with "Son of man." (Mt. 4:3, 6; 8:29; 14:33; 27:54; Jn. 1:49; 3:18; 5:25; etc.)
As shown earlier, John the Baptist, Jesus and His disciples preached the good news of the kingdom of God. Yet, what exactly is the kingdom of God?
A familiar passage states that we must "first seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness..." (Mt. 6:33). Jesus declared unto Pilate that His "kingdom is not of this world." (Jn. 18:36) In His response, Jesus was declaring that His kingdom has two parts, much like His prophesied coming has two parts that we commonly refer to as His first and second advent. The first advent when He came to deliver us spiritually from our sins and transfer us into His kingdom (Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 9:26-28; 1 P. 2:24).
We see the partial fulfillment of the prophecy of God's "Anointed One" in the following passages:
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; - Is. 61:1-2
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; - Is. 61:1-2
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. - Lk. 4:16-21
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. - Lk. 4:16-21
19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. - Lk. 7:19-23
20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. - Lk. 7:19-23
Jesus read a familiar passage from Isaiah to the listeners concerning Israel's deliverance from exile in Babylon as a Year of Jubilee—a year when all debts are cancelled, all slaves are freed, and all property is returned to its original owners (Lev. 25). But the release from Babylonian exile had not brought the expected fulfillment; the Jews were still a conquered and oppressed people. Therefore it became obvious to them that Isaiah must have been referring to a future time.
It is to be noted that the Jews in those days were looking for a Messiah that would deliver them from their Roman oppressors with a rod of iron. (Ps. 2:9) His own disciples were looking for a similar, physical, earthly deliverance as well. (Acts 1:6) It is also interesting that one of the 12, Simon, was a zealot (Mt. 10:4; Mk. 3:18; Lk. 6:15; Acts 1:13), a political movement among the Jews to overthrow the Roman government.
When Jesus read the Scriptures from Isaiah that day in Nazareth, He cut off some of the passage and closed by saying, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Lk. 4:21) The future day when He shall return as a conquering King bringing judgment to the people of the earth in establishing His kingdom reign was not read and thus to remain until a future time.
The prophets had said the Messiah would do these very things (see Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1). These physical proofs helped John—and help us—to recognize who Jesus is.
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power (rule; authority) of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. - Acts 26:17-18
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power (rule; authority) of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. - Acts 26:17-18
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power (rule; authority) of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption (payment of ransom, debt) through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: - Col. 1:12-14
Jesus told Nicodemus that to enter into the kingdom of God you had to "be born of water and the Spirit..." Saying further "That which is born of the. The flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (Jn. 3:1-8) The apostle Paul gives the Corinthian believers a similar discourse in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (which the exegesis of this passage will be lengthy, and hopefully may dig into it at another time).
When the Pharisees demanded of Jesus as to when the kingdom should come, He declared that it was already in their midst, or among them.
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. - Lk 17:20-21
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. - Lk 17:20-21
If we have been born in the Spirit we are seated with Christ in His spiritual, heavenly kingdom (Col. 3:1-4; Eph. 2:5-6)
As noted in Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus, the contrast between the kingdom of the god of this world in the flesh and the kingdom of God in the Spirit. Jesus said "if you love me, keep my commandments." (Jn. 14:15) He also said that "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another." (Jn. 13:34-35) He said that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart and others as yourself. (Mk. 12:29-31)
In the book of 1 John he states that "everyone that loveth is born of God." (4:7; 5:1) John in this book often contrasts the kingdom of the devil against the kingdom of God (2:29-3:24). I encourage you to read through these Scriptures to fully understand His present spiritual kingdom.
There are many other passages that contrast the fleshly kingdom of darkness that we were delivered from to the kingdom of God that we have been transferred to, like: 1 Cor. 5:9-11; Eph. 2:1-7; 4:17-5:17:Rom. 1:18-2:29; 8:1, 4-5, 12-14; 14:17; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Cor. 10:1-6.etc.). I'll share one passage to show the contrast between the two kingdoms.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. - Gal. 5:13-25
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. - Gal. 5:13-25
If we have been born of the Spirit (Jn. 3:3-8), become a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), our old nature according to the god of this world according to the flesh will be put to death, having been buried with Christ in His death and raised by the Spirit according to the working of God (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:11-13), causing us to become citizens of the kingdom of heaven (Php. 3:20), while still pilgrims on this earth (1 Pet. 2:11), as we, like those who walked in faith before us wait for His return (Heb. 11). In the meantime, our new manner of living bearing the fruit of the Spirit, as seen above,shall be manifest to all.
Now His second advent will be when He comes in flaming fire to judge the people of the earth and establish the throne of David and His kingdom as I shared in some verses above and will provide more below.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. - Is. 9:6-7
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. - Is. 9:6-7
5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. - Jer. 23:5-6
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. - Jer. 23:5-6
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. - Ps. 2:6-9
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. - Ps. 2:6-9
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. - Ps. 50:3-6
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. - Ps. 50:3-6
1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. - Ps. 110:1
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. - 1 Cor. 15:31-28
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. - 1 Cor. 15:31-28
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. - 2 P. 3:3-14
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. - 2 P. 3:3-14
Thus is a brief overview of His first and second advent. I do not plan to discuss the details of His second advent, since that is not the scope of this series.
To recap what has been discussed in this post:
1) The Jewish people were looking for their Messiah that would deliver them from their Roman oppressors and establish an everlasting kingdom.
2) These same Jews stumbled with their understanding of the Scriptures and didn't realize that the prophecies of the Messiah would be broken up into two parts.
3) Lastly, we briefly looked at the differences between the two advent, as well as the nature of His kingdom that was established at His first coming.
Next time, I'll continue looking into our King Jesus, and His kingdom, our role in it and our inheritance. Until then, I have given you plenty to chew on.
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