Category Archives: Kingdom of God

Keys to Prophecy: The Kingdom is NOT of this World

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Jesus avoided a kingdom in this world,
even at the “right” time!

Jesus was performing some very powerful actions in John chapter 6, and He fed a crowd of thousands with one little boy’s lunch. Then it says,

“When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.””
Jn 6:14 WEB

So people were believing in Him. However, was this to be about a kingdom in this world?

“Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.”
Jn 6:15 WEB

Jesus did NOT want a kingdom in this world. He could have had it in the first century, during His first coming. But that was not the plan. And what was planned was accomplished!

He announced it was not a “this earth” kingdom.

Really, this is reflected in His parables about “the kingdom of heaven.” Some would say that is about the heaven ruling over this earth, but heaven, and God on His throne, has always ruled over this earth (cf. Dan 4:17, and many other passages).

Then Jesus got very specific when being questioned by Pilate during that farce of His trial. Pilate asked Him directly during His trial. “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jn 18:33. Jesus then asked Pilate if he were asking this on his own or did someone else say that about Jesus. Pilate then responded, “I am not a Jew am I? … What have you done?” Jn 18:34.

Jesus then gave a succinct answer.

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.”
Jn 18:36 WEB

Not of this earth, not a this creation, but part of a new glorious creation when God makes all things new, Rev 21:1.

Pilate realized Jesus was NOT a contender for
an earthly kingdom.

So then he said to the Jews and the mob, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” Jn 18:38 WEB

“I find no basis for a charge against him.” Jn 18:38 WEB

This world is in the process of passing away.

“… For the form of this world is passing away.”
1Cor 7:31 nf

Some want a worldly kingdom HERE, with their own
messiah ruling over all.

But that was NOT what was promised. Rather God said.

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
Isa 65:17 WEB

That is to say, a new universe where righteousness dwells, and of which sin and decay and entropy have no part. Jesus will not come to rule at some special time on earth. Rather He rules heaven and earth NOW, and will continue until all of His enemies are put down, 1Cor 15:24-26!

The premillennialist are confusing prophecies of heaven with prophecies of this present world.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

nf is my own translation based on the WEB.

Keys to Prophecy: The Kingdom HAS come!

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It was predicted to come at certain time.

In the book of Daniel, chapter 2, a series of empires are pictured as coming. This is only an overview of that prophecy. First was the then existing Babylonian Empire, followed by the soon to come Medo-Persian Empire, followed by the Greek Empire, and lastly by the Roman Empire. Then it says, “in the days of those kings,” that is to say in the days of the Roman Empire:

“In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
Dan 2:44 WEB

So it is saying that the kingdom will come in time of that fourth kingdom of the Romans. Likewise, in Daniel chapter 9 it pictures the “sevens” of years that were to come. There is full discussion of this prophecy in Prophecy Principles, but it enough to say, it pictures the Anointed One coming and being “cut off.” Yes, killed, and a new covenant established, somewhere between the first century BC, and the first century AD, depending on when you picture the seventy sevens as beginning.

So in the first century AD, there was general
expectation of the kingdom coming.

Then in the early first century AD, John the Baptist came preaching,

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
Mtt 3:2 WEB

Soon behind him, Jesus came saying the same thing, Mtt 4:17. Jesus then began declaring “the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven,” Mtt 13:11 WEB.

Then curious qualifications were announced.

“neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.””
Lk 17:21 WEB

Then comes the clincher from Jesus which many refuse to believe.

“He said to them, “Most assuredly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come with POWER.””
Mk 9:1 WEB

So either Jesus was liar and false prophet, or one of His disciples is still alive here on earth (but that doesn’t seem fit what Jesus said), OR the kingdom did come in the first century. A spiritual kingdom, exactly as prophesied.

Then they were told to wait in Jerusalem until they
received POWER from on high, Lk 24:49.

The kingdom came with the preaching of the gospel,

Lastly, they were told, “But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Acts 1.8 WEB. Then Holy Spirit did come on them in Acts 2, and Peter preached the first gospel sermon. Then the kingdom is pictured as being in existence. Not the fullness that it eventually will be, but still in existence.

Paul says we have transferred/translated (past tense) from the power of the darkness “into the Kingdom of the Son of his love.” Col 1:13 WEB. And Jesus says He has ALL authority in heaven and on earth, Mtt 28:18.

What more do you need?

However, many do not like these clear answers in Scripture.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

God’s Mountain Will Rule ALL

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Five kingdoms are described.

King Nebuchadnezzar has had a dream in Daniel 2. Daniel, by revelation from God, both tells the king what the dream is, and what it means. Five kingdoms are prophesied to rule.

“31 You, O king, saw, and, behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood before you; and the aspect of it was awesome. 32 As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass, 33 its legs of iron, its feet part of iron, and part of clay.”
Dan 2:31-33 WEB

This is summary here, but the first was ancient Babylon ruled by Nebuchadnezzar himself. “ … you are the head of gold.” Dan 2:38 WEB.

This was followed by the Medo-Persian Empire. This is symbolized by breast and arms of silver, Dan 2:32. It was inferior to Babylon, but lasted longer.

Then came the Greeks under Alexander the Great. Alexander is pictured as a large horn in Daniel 8.

“The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king.”
Dan 8:21 WEB

Greece of course was to be followed by Rome. Rome is described Daniel 2 as “legs of iron, its feet part of iron, and part of clay.” In Daniel 7 Rome is described as an frightening beast with large iron teeth. Rome did not seduce or make other rich. Rather she, “devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet,” Dan 7:7 WEB.

“But in the days of those kings …” Dan 2:44

It is clear it is talking about in the days of the Roman Empire, that,

“the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
Dan 2:44 WEB

Now there was no clear secular successor to Rome.

The successor is the one,

“… that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold …”
Dan 2:45 WEB

“Cut out without hands” (Dan 2:34) would indicate that it was by no human agency that this kingdom comes into being. Then we look back to see the nature of this kingdom.

“the stone that struck the image became a great MOUNTAIN,”
Dan 2:35 WEB.

This is a religious kingdom which comes. This is the kingdom of heaven which John the Baptist and Jesus announced, and into which God’s people have been transferred, Col 1:13.

It indeed struck “the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, … and the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them:” Dan 2:35 WEB

“the stone … became a great mountain, and
filled the WHOLE earth.” Dan 2:35

This is still in process. The kingdom has not YET filled the whole earth. But it will. Scripture cannot be broken, Jn 10:35.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

The Kingdom of God in Eternity

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Remember Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.” Jn 18:36 WEB

A new universe is coming, “a new heavens and a new earth in which dwells righteousness.” 2Pe 3:13. Peter is referring to passages like Isa 66:22 as a future thing to be fulfilled.

“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, says Yahweh, …” Isa 66:22 WEB

What will it be like?

The saints will sit down with Jesus on His throne to rule this new universe, Rev 3:21 and many other passages.

What the physicists call “The Second Law of Thermodynamics,” or Entropy, or “things run down,” will not be an operating principle in this new universe.

God will severely shake this present universe one more time.

“26 whose voice shook the earth, then, but now he has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, receiving a kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,”
Heb 12:26-28 WEB

“that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.” Rom 8:21 WEB

And since things won’t run down, you will never die.

The descriptions are wonderful, glorious!

“6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.”
Isa 11:6-9 WEB

We as Christians have come to the heavenly Jerusalem according to Heb 12:22. Isaiah describes that heavenly Jerusalem.

“21 They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. … 24 It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
Isa 65:20-25 WEB

KJV is the King James Version, 1611

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

nf is my own translation based on the WEB

The Kingdom of God Comes

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Everyone one was looking for the kingdom of God to come around the first century of our age. The Pharisees were repeatedly asking Him about it, much as in Lk 17:20-21. Jesus told His disciples,

“… “Most assuredly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come with power.” ” Mk 9:1

So the kingdom was indeed to come soon, before all of them died, and it was to come with power. Then right before ascending to His Father in heaven, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem “until you are clothed with power from on high.” Lk 24:49 WEB. He seems to be talking about the power with which the kingdom would come. Then in Acts 1 Jesus told them that, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Acts 1:8. Then in Acts 2 the Holy Spirit came upon them with power and the kingdom of Heaven was begun.

A present embryonic kingdom!

The Father has,

“ … delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;” Col 1:13 WEB

That’s right. It is past tense. We are now “fellow citizens with the saints,” Eph 2:19

Jesus rules ALL heaven and earth NOW!

All authority in both heaven and earth has been given to Jesus now, past tense, Mtt 28:20. Jesus is now, “the ruler of the kings of the earth.” Rev 1:5, present tense. So kings and judges are advised,

“Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
For his wrath will soon be kindled.
Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.”
Psa 2:10 WEB

So Jesus at present does indeed, “… Rule in the midst of your enemies.” Psa 110:1

How long with this rule over heaven and earth last?

“24 Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. ”
1Cor 15:24-26 WEB

Some still look for Jesus reign on this earth for a thousand years.

Speaking of some saying Jesus will again be on earth, Jesus says something different.

“25 “Behold, I have told you beforehand. 26 If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; ‘Behold, he is in the inner chambers,’ don’t believe it.” ” Mtt 24:25-26 WEB

Some seem to think He did not mean that. But that is what He said!

You see, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God,” 1Cor 15:50. The kingdom of God is not of this world, not of this universe, Jn 18:36.

And for a perfect place,

“Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.” Eph 5:5 WEB

KJV is the King James Version, 1611

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

nf is my own translation based on the WEB

The Kingdom of God Forecast

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A special kingdom of God which was to come and last into all eternity, is a major theme in Scripture. A descendant of King David was to be the head of this kingdom, coming as a child, Isa 9:6-7. The Christ of God.

Daniel 2 is an extensive prophecy of a succession of empires, written in the 6th century BC. First was the ancient Babylonian Empire, which was in existence at the time of the prophecy. Next would be the Medo-Persian empire, which overthrew the Babylonians in Daniel’s time. After that would come the Greeks, and lastly an empire of iron and clay, the Roman Empire. Then the prophecy says that of the times of the Roman Empire,

“In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. ”
Dan 2:44 WEB

Prophecy Principles gives a detailed analysis of the prophecy in Daniel 9, which gives a rough time schedule for the kingdom. It centers around the early first century of our age. It was to be a time when “the Anointed One shall be cut off” (Dan 9:26), and “the sacrifice and offerings” are made to cease (Dan 9:27), and “to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness” (Dan 9:24 WEB). Wow! What a list!

So the kingdom was imminently expected
in the first century of our age.

First came John the Baptist saying,

“ “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” ” Mtt 3:2 WEB

Then Jesus himself came saying the same, Mtt 4:17. Then Jesus began preaching the principles of this kingdom through various parables and sermons.

Some wanted to force Jesus to head an earthly kingdom.

But Jesus hid himself from them, Jn 6:15

Jesus said this kingdom was not to be of this world.

Jesus indicated the eternal kingdom was to have its beginning in the hearts and minds of men.

“ “20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation; 21 neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” ”
Lk 17:20-21 WEB

Then came tragic but glorious end of Jesus ministry when He was put on trial first before the Sanhedrin (that is the Greek word sunedrion), and then before the Romans. Jesus was emphatic that His kingdom was not of this world. He told Pilate,

“… “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.”” Jn 18:36 WEB

And the completion is where?

KJV is the King James Version, 1611

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

nf is my own translation based on the WEB