THE KINGDOM OF GOD (3)

In this blog, I would like to share why I believe the Kingdom of God is not the church of this age as some mistakenly believe. The evidence from Scripture is overwhelming in support of the fact that the Kingdom of God is also different from the gospel of grace or gospel of salvation.

In the parable of the talent (minas) recorded in Luke 19:11-27, Christ compared Himself to the Nobleman who went off to a far country (heaven) to receive for Himself a Kingdom which His Father (God) will give to Him. The Jews understood the Scriptures of the Old Testament that the Prophet will come to set up the Kingdom on earth, and they were prepared to seized Him by force to make Him King (John 6:15). But the Lord knew that His time (to set up His Kingdom) was not yet then.

The account goes on to show that there are rebellious servants who do not want the Lord Jesus Christ to reign over their lives (Luke 19:14). Those servants who are unfaithful stewards and who refused to accept the reign of Christ (those who refused to be led by the Spirit of Christ - the Holy Spirit) will be branded as the 'enemies of Christ' and will be slained before the Lord (Matt 19:27), probably at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

In the book of Daniel, chapter 2: 35, 39 & 44, the dream of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar was interpreted by Daniel who had the wisdom of God upon him. The first four kingdoms - Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman Empire - were literal kingdoms to come upon the earth in succession at that time. The fifth was a stone ( refers to Christ -see Matthew 16:18) that became a mountain and filled the whole earth. This prophecy is affirmed in Daniel 7:13-14 which states that the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) will be crowned with His Kingdom by the Ancient of Days, a reference to God the Father. This is not referring to His first advent to set up His church as He came through the clouds (verse 13) and that ALL peoples, nations and languages will serve Him (verse 14). His first advent was of humble beginning.

In Revelation 11:15, it states thus: ' The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever'. Since this part of prophecy was prophesied to happen after the Great Tribulation which has yet to take place, the Kingdom of God has not appeared yet.

Luke 21:31 records the words of Jesus telling His disciples that the Kingdom of God will come only after certain events have to happen. One of these is that the generation of the last days will witness 'the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) coming in a cloud with power and great glory'. Since this has yet to take place as it refers to His Second Coming, the Kingdom of God is not here yet.

The prophet Isaiah (9:6-7) prophesied that the government will be upon His (Christ) shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is the world currently experiencing peace now? A cursory glance at the news headlines of major newspapers will show us the answer is far from it. But do take heart, God's plan for mankind is to have His Son Jesus Christ to sit upon the throne of David to form a super-government ruling with His saints on planet earth after His Second Advent for one thousand years. Subsequently, after having crushed Satan under His feet (Romans 16:20), Christ and His saints will rule the universe for all of eternity (Hebrews 2:10)! Folks, that is why you and I were created for. God do indeed have a wonderful plan for our lives (Rom 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:2-5, 9-11, 21, 2:6).

When the Kingdom of God has come, the Lord will make Jerusalem His Headquarter, known as the City of Truth (Zech 8:3) and He shall be the King over all the earth (Zech 14:9). Certainly, that is not what is happening in this current church age - not by a long shot!

Just ten days before the coming of Pentecost - the founding of the church - the disciples asked the Lord Jesus, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?' (Acts 1:6) His reply in the following verse 7 is obvious that the Kingdom is not coming anytime soon then, 'It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.' If the church is the Kingdom of God, such a reply just do not make any sense - talking about times and seasons when Pentecost is literally close at hand!

From the passages in Acts 8:12 and Acts 28:31, the Apostle Philip and Apostle Paul respectively mentioned 'the Kingdom and God' and 'the name/teachings which concern the Lord Jesus Christ' as separate subjects, indicating that the Kingdom of God is not a reference about the church or the gospel of grace or gospel of salvation which many believers simply assumed. The Lord Jesus also categorically states in Matthew 8:11 that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be in the Kingdom of Heaven (God), together with many from the east and west - probably referring to Gentile believers of the church age from all corners of the earth. Since, the patriarchs have yet to appear as they are still sleeping in the graves, the Kingdom of God is NOT here yet.

If the Kingdom of God is here now, either as the church or in the hearts of men, why would Christ command His servants to continually pray, 'Thy Kingdom Come' (Matt 6:9-10; Luke 11:2)? Wouldn't it be more apropriate for the Lord to commandHis followers to pray 'Thy Kingdom spread, grow and prosper' or something to that effect. If church members are already in the Kingdom, why is the Lord's command to 'seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness' (Matt 6:33)? For only perfect righteousness will lead to perfect peace in the Kingdom of God, that which even the church cannot attain in this age! Besides, we only seek that which we do not already possess.

Dear friends, my point is that every truth of the Scriptures must be proven (1 Thess 5:21; Rom 12:2c). We cannot simply assume anything that we have heard or read is the truth - including this blog. But do read and study the Scriptures for yourself, for it will pay handsome dividends for now and all of eternity!