Biblical Time Line

Ascension Rapture Return

7 years 1,000 years

OT Church Age Trib. Kingdom Et. State

Theme of the Bible

God's attempt to establish His Kingdom

on earth.

The purpose for which God created becomes the purpose of the created.

How do we get into the Kingdom of God?

John 3:1-16

After believing, we are invited to become co-heirs with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom.

The Heirs and the Joint-heirs

Two Groups

1) Heirs of God

All believers enter the Kingdom, get eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and the Holy Spirit.

The Heirs and the Joint-heirs

Two Groups

2) Joint-heirs with Christ

These are believe who suffer with Christ.

These are believers who are faithful till the end.

They are called overcomers by John in Revelation.

The Heirs and the Joint-heirs

This idea fits in perfectly with the Old Testament on this subject.

Sermon on the Mount vs. the Law

They both have application to believers and unbelievers.

The difference

Heirship of God is by grace through faith in Christ for all who believe.

Co-heirship with Christ is merit based; it is earned.

Co-heirship = a common theme

Matthew 20:17-38

To be great in the Kingdom, we must become servants and be ready to endure suffering.

Co-heirship

2 Timothy 2 :11-13

The last letter that we know of to Paul's disciple, Timothy.

Believers die with Christ when they believe.

We reign with Him when we endure.

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-13

Tells us what we should be, how we should act in relation to the Kingdom.

Compare this to the giving of the

Old Testament Law; blessing and cursing.

Romans 6

 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were

baptized into His death?

Romans 64 Therefore we were buried with Him through

baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in

newness of life.5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall

be in the likeness of His resurrection

Romans 6

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done

away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has

been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with

Him,

Romans 6

9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life

that He lives, He lives to God.

Romans 6

11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ

Jesus our Lord.

Romans 7

Problem

I cannot change myself simply by deciding to change (vv. 17-23)

I'm trapped in a "death house" of sin.

Romans 8:1-14

• Just as God raised Christ from the dead, by the Spirit, God gives "life" to our bodies.

• Our side is to set our minds, direct our orientation, to the things of the Spirit.

• When we are spiritually minded, we are led by the Spirit and living out our position as adult sons.

5 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of

adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Romans 8:17-18

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God on the one hand and joint heirs with Christ on

the other hand, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the

glory which shall be revealed in us.

Kingdom preparation - Romans 8

By walking in the Spirit with our minds set upon the Spirit and relying on prayer (1 John

5:13-15) we can successfully navigate this world, producing what we truly want and get

prepared for the Kingdom.

8:1-11

Kingdom preparation - Romans 8

The way I live makes a difference. My future, both potential and real, helps bring me

through difficulties. 8:18, 24

Kingdom preparation - Romans 8

The Holy Spirit helps us through difficulties by communicating the desires and intentions of

our hearts 8:26

Kingdom preparation - Romans 8

God works everything for ultimate good for those who love Him and are called by Him

for His purposes

8:28

Kingdom preparation - Romans 8

No matter how bad it gets, God's love toward us is steadfast and we cannot be separated

from Him 8:38-39

It is the power of the risen Christ that gives life to my mortal body and enables me to do

what is not possible without Him.

Jesus was right. It was to our advantage that He went away to send us His Spirit.

The risen Christ did conquer death and pay for our sins.

But, for the believer, the risen Christ is operating in and through us.

To live is Christ!

Galatians 2:20-21

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in

the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the

law, then Christ died in vain.”

We need grace to be free in the flesh.

We serve a risen, living Savior who wants to empower us and lives in and through us...

...and to get us ready to reign along with Him in the Kingdom.