The Bible is divided into the Old Testament and New Testament.

OLD & NEW TESTAMENT

The Old Testament

The NewTestament

A Testament is a Covenant (agreement, contract). The Old Covenant (Law) is the Old Testament and is between God and Israel (the Jews). The New Covenant (Grace) or New Testament is an agreement between God and all mankind (Gentiles & Jews).

We saw that the New Testament was an upside-down kingdom where:

The blessings promised (in the Sermon on the Mount) were spiritual not material (like the Old Covenant).

Those who are persecuted, meek and gentle are blessed.

The last shall be the first.

The leaders are servants to those they lead.

THE NEW TESTAMENT

BIBLE LANGUAGES

Old Testament New Testament

HEBREW & ARAMAIC (parts of Daniel and Ezra)

GREEK

THE KINGDOMOF GOD

Jesus announced the kingdom of God.

Mark 1:14-15 (ESV) Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel [Greek: evangelion] of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

The Greek word evangelion, which is translated gospel, means good news.

Our English word “evangelist” is derived from this word and means “bringer of good news”.

Jesus came preaching good news about the Kingdom of God for those who would repent and believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmFPS0f-kzs

KINGDOM OF GOD

If you were to ask most Christians what Jesus preached, you’d probably hear something about love.

In Matthew, Jesus mentioned love 8 times (28 times in John).

One of Matthew’s major themes is “the kingdom”, “the kingdom of heaven” or “the kingdom of God” which he refers to over 50 times.

Q: Where did this expectation of a coming Kingdom of God come from?

A: It was best articulated in Daniel 2 in the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream by Daniel.

THE MESSAGE OF JESUS

Dan 2:29-45 (NIV) “As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.”

KINGDOM PROPHESIED

“You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. The head of the statue was made of pure gold…”

“… its chest and arms of silver…”

“… its belly and thighs of bronze…”

“its legs of iron…”

“… its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay.”

“While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them.”

“Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.”

Babylonia“The God of heaven has given you dominion and

power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of

the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler

over them all. You are that head

of gold.”

“This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. You, O king, are the king of kings.”

Medo-Persia

“After you, another

kingdom will rise, inferior

to yours.”

Greece

“Next, a third kingdom, one of

bronze, will rule over the whole earth.”

Rome

“Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron - for iron breaks and smashes everything -and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.”

the strength of iron in it, even as you saw

iron mixed with clay. As the toes were

partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom

will be partly strong and partly brittle. And just

as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a

mixture and will not remain united, any

more than iron mixes with

clay.

Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of

“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a

kingdom that will never be

destroyed, nor will it be left to another people.” Kingdom

of God

KINGDOM OF GOD“It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.”

Is the rock in the dream the Church or the Millennial kingdom?

Why did Jesus teach us to pray “Your kingdom come … on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10) if it has already come?

If Rome was the legs of iron (and Jesus lived in the Roman Empire), what about the feet of the statue?

The Church Age is not an eternal kingdom; itlasts until the Second Coming.

KINGDOM OF GOD

Babylon Medo-Persia

Greece Rome

The kingdom of God

Antichrist

Babylon Babylon MedoMedo Greece Rome Greece Rome Revived Revived ––Persia Persia RomanRoman

“FIVE HAVE FALLEN”

3) Babylon 4) Medo-Persia

“ONE IS”

5) Greece 6) Rome

“THE OTHER HAS NOT YET

COME”7) Revived

Roman 2) Assyria

1) Egypt

The Bible speaks of 6 world kingdoms that have ruled Israel in the past: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. John (who wrote Revelation) lived in the Roman Empire and says of the beast the harlot rides on:

They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come… (Rev 17:10)

ANTICHRIST’S KINGDOM

The Jews were expecting the Messiah to come. That is why the priests and Levites from Jerusalem ask John the Baptist if he was the Christ (John 1:20).

Messiah [Hebrew: Mashiach] is Christ [Greek: Christos] and “Anointed One” (English).

The Kingdom of God would be centred in Jerusalem where Messiah the king would reign – with his elders - over all the earth.

Isa 24:23 (NIV) … for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders --with great glory.

1. KINGDOM PROPHESIED

1. The Kingdom was predictedby Daniel, Isaiah and all the prophets.

2. The Kingdom was offered to Israel.

3. The Kingdom was rejected by Israel.

4. The Kingdom was replacedby an interim Kingdom that was “not of this world” – the Church Age.

5. The Kingdom of God fulfilledon earth - the Millennium.

KINGDOM OF GOD

PREDICTED

OFFERED

REJECTED

REPLACED

FULFILLED

In the time of Christ many Jews were expecting the imminent Kingdom of God. E.g. Joseph of Arimathea “was waiting for the kingdom of God” (Luke 23:51).

Remember that the expected kingdom was going to established in Jerusalem.

… because he [Jesus] was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. (Luke 19:11, NIV)

The Jews were expecting the Messiah to free them from the rule of Rome and set up an everlasting kingdom. They were expecting a political leader, not a spiritual leader. At one time “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” (John 6:16, NIV)

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

John the Baptist announced the coming kingdom.

Matt 3:1-3 (ESV) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

But even John the Baptist expected a political ruler and couldn’t understand why Jesus was leaving him in prison.

Matt 11:2-3 (ESV) Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

The Greek word used for kingdom is basileia. Here is the definition from the NAS Greek lexicon.

1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule and authority

a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom

b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah

c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom

2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king, used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah

3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

Jesus announced the kingdom.

Mark 1:15 (ESV) “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

A kingdom is a place where a king reigns, but when Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God, he did not think in terms of locality, but authority. So, when Jesus proclaims that the Kingdom of God has come near, he doesn’t mean that a place is approaching, but that God’s own royal authority and power have come on the scene.

So, we could paraphrase Mark 1:15, which summarizes Jesus’ preaching, as follows:

God’s reign is at hand. God’s power is being unleashed. Turn your life around and put your trust in this good news.

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

So, when Jesus proclaims that the Kingdom of God has come near, he doesn’t mean that a place is approaching, but that God’s own royal authority and power have come on the scene. So, we could paraphrase Mark 1:15, which summarizes Jesus’ preaching, as follows: God’s reign is at hand. God’s power is being unleashed. Turn your life around and put your trust in this good news.

Jesus proclaimed his coming reign, not only in words, but also in works. These actions both illustrated the kingdom of God and demonstrated its presence. They took various forms, including healings, deliverances, natural miracles, and other symbolic gestures. Many of his parables explain something about this kingdom: it is like mustard seed, a treasure, a merchant looking for pearls, and a king who gave a banquet.

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

Responding to a question from the Pharisees about when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said: “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, see here! or see there! For indeed, the kingdom of God is within [entos] you.” (Luke 17:20-21, NKJV)

But the Kingdom of God was not in the hearts of these Pharisees.

In this passage, entos (the Greek word that is translated “within)” is best translated “in the midst of” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

Luke 17:21 (ESV) “…the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

In this sense, Jesus, the King of the coming Kingdom of God, was standing in the midst of the Pharisees. The obvious conclusion is that Jesus is the personification of the kingdom of God, in that he has all authority and power.

As God’s covenant people, the kingdom was offered to Israel:

Matt 10:5-7 (NASB) Jesus sent these twelve out after instructing them: Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand’.

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

Zechariah prophesied the entry of the coming king Messiah into Jerusalem riding on a donkey’s colt, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech 9:9)

Matthew 1 and John 2 tell us that this prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

1 Matt 21:4-5 This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 2 John 12:14-15 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

Mark 11:8 (NIV) Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.

Blessed is the King of Israel!

(John 12:13)

The crowd of disciples had shouted “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matt 21:1-12). Note the words of the Messianic Psalm 118, which speaks of Jesus’ triumphal entry, the boughs, the praise, the procession to the temple and Jesus’ subsequent rejection:

Psalm 118:20-27 This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone... Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.

2. KINGDOM OFFERED

Days later the King was rejected by his subjects (John 19:12-16).

We have no king but

Caesar

Shall I crucify your king?

3. KINGDOM REJECTED

Luke 13:6-9 records the parable of a vineyard owner (always represents God in Jesus’ parables 1) who was dissatisfied with his barren fig tree (a type of Israel 2). After three years 3 he decides to give it one more chance and then destroy it, if it remains barren.

1 Matt 21:28 (the 2 sons) & 21:33 (the tenants). 2 Interpreting Scripture with Scripture, see Jer 24 where figs represent Israel. 3 Interesting that Jesus ministry lasted 3 years?

KINGDOM GOES TO GENTILES

Some have been puzzled about Jesus’ reason for cursing the fig tree. Matthew relates how, shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus cursed the fig tree (again, a type of Israel) because it was fruitless (again).

Matt 21:18-19 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.

Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.

Then he said to it, “May you never

bear fruit again!” Immediately

the tree withered.

KINGDOM GOES TO GENTILES

The interim kingdom, which was not foreseen by the OT prophets, would go to the Gentiles, because of the Jewish rejection of their Messiah. Matthew recalls how after cursing the fig tree, Jesus subsequently tells 3 consecutive parables which all speak of the kingdom going to the Gentiles.

Firstly (Matt 21:28-31), there is the son who initially agreed to obey (Israel) but ultimately did not, while the son who said he would not obey (the Gentiles) had a change of heart.

THE TWO SONS

Secondly (Matt 21:33-41), a vineyard is taken from the original tenants (Israel) after they killed the heir (Jesus) and is given to others (Gentiles) to work it.

Matt 21:41 “… he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

THE TENANTS

After the parable of the tenants, Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (v 43)

He identifies himself as the “the stone the builders rejected” which “has become the capstone” (v 42)

We then read that “when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them.” (v 45)

KINGDOM GOES TO GENTILES

Thirdly, Jesus then tells a parable about a king (God) preparing a wedding feast for his son (Jesus). The originally intended guests (Israel) refuse the king’s invitation. They mistreat and kill his servants (the prophets) and show indifference to his hospitality. They are judged and their city (Jerusalem) is destroyed. Then the wedding invitation is given to others (the Gentiles) who accept it.

THE WEDDING BANQUET

Hours before he is finally rejected by his crucifixion, Jesus formerly introduces a New Covenant to his followers.

Luke 22:20 (NIV) In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

The bread and wine symbolise an interim kingdom which will find later fulfilment.

Luke 22:15-18 (NIV) And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

A NEW COVENANT

The various teachings on the kingdom of God found throughout the NT, speak of the coming of the kingdom of God as a future event in some places (the Millennium), but in other places as an ongoing event (the Church age).

Jesus has established the kingdom of God on earth, but will not abolish this present evil age until he returns.

The interim ‘Church Age’ is a period when Jesus has a kingdom ‘not of this world’, but Jesus’ use of the word ‘now’ (at present) when speaking to Pilate indicates that this is a temporary situation.

John 18:36 (NIV) Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world… But now my kingdom is from another place.”

4. INTERIM KINGDOM

Many of the Jews of the first century were looking for the immediate fulfilment of prophecies that spoke of the restoration of their nation.

Even after his resurrection Jesus’ followers asked him:

Acts 1:6-8 (ESV) “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Note that he didn’t say that the kingdom had already come, but gave them a directive that would kickstart the Church Age and the interim kingdom

4. INTERIM KINGDOM

Dispensationalists view the kingdom of God as consisting of an earthly theocratic kingdom promised to Israel in the OT. It is the thousand year reign of Christ on earth.

Jesus offered the kingdom to the Jews, but they rejected the offer, and so, instead of establishing the kingdom, Jesus postponed it until the second coming.

In the meantime, he established the ‘mystery form’ of the kingdom during the inter-advent age, in which Christ rules spiritually in the hearts of believers without fulfilling the prophecies of the kingdom on earth.

This interim kingdom is ‘the Church Age’.

4. INTERIM KINGDOM

CHURCH NOT FORESEEN

The interim kingdom, or ‘Church Age’ was not foreseen by the OT prophets. They sometimes refer to both the 1st and 2nd Coming in the same passage. Below the 1st and 2nd Coming are depicted as mountains and both can be seen by the OT prophets, although they appear as one mountain. The Church Age is a valley that cannot be seen by the OT prophets.

From their perspective, those in the valley can see the valley and both mountain peaks of the 1st and 2nd coming.

Following are 2 references to both the First and Second Coming in an OT passage where the distinction between the 2 comings is not apparent.

This well-known prophecy of the promised child (referring to Jesus’ First Coming) also speaks of Him reigning on David’s throne, which will only be fulfilled at His Second Coming.

Isa 9:6-7 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom…

CHURCH NOT FORESEEN

The following passage which was quoted by Jesus refers predominantly to his ministry of his 1st Coming but the “day of vengeance of our God” refers to his 2nd Coming.

Isa 61:1-2 (NIV)The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God…

When Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 (in Luke 4:16-21) and says that he has fulfilled it, he leaves out the portion that refers to the 2nd Coming.

CHURCH NOT FORESEEN

Paul explains to the Ephesians how the Church Age and the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles was a “mystery” that had been hidden in ages past:

Eph 3:8-11 (NIV) … this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church [ecclesia], the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

CHURCH NOT FORESEEN

The message that Jesus gave to his disciples to preach at the end of his time on the earth was very different to the message he preached in the beginning.

It was not offering a kingdom to Israel but offering salvation to the world through faith in Christ’s death on the cross.

1 John 4:14 (ESV) And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Rom 5:8 (ESV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

4. INTERIM KINGDOM

SCRIPTURE MATT 10:6

WHENDURING HIS MINISTRY

WHO THE TWELVE

AUDIENCE

GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL

MESSAGETHE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND

MATT 28:18-20

BEFORE HIS ASCENSION

HIS DISCIPLES

GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS

TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.

The kingdom of God is the domain over which God is spiritually sovereign.

Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). and that his authority did not come from man but from God.

Luke 22:29 (NIV) “And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me.”

A kingdom implies a king. Our king is Jesus. If we are part of his kingdom and true Church (i.e. ‘called out ones’) we should obey the king.

Matt 7:46 (NIV) “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

4. INTERIM KINGDOM

Entrance into the kingdom of God is by:

a) a new birth

John 3:3 (NIV) In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

b) repentance

Matt 4:17 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

c) and the divine call.

1 Thess 2:12 (NIV) encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

4. INTERIM KINGDOM

Because the kingdom of God is not yet here in its full expression (“as it is in heaven”), the works of this present evil age continue, though not as unlimited as it would have without the presence of the kingdom of God (“you are the salt of the earth”).

Although Christians have eternal life, they still sicken and die.

Although they have been freed from sin, temptation to sin, and sin itself, continue to plague their lives.

Although God dwells within them, their knowledge of God at times seems quite limited.

War, poverty, sickness, godlessness, and death will continue until the end of the age.

4. INTERIM KINGDOM

We are told to seek the kingdom of God first (Matt 6:33) and to pray for its ultimate arrival “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10).

The kingdom of God on earth, prophesied by Daniel and the other OT prophets will still come during the Millennium (after the Tribulation).

Rev 11:15 (ESV) Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (cf. Rev 12:10) 1

1 Rev 12:10 (ESV) And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

5. THE COMING KINGDOM

There is a coming future Kingdom of God, on the earth, where believers will reign with Christ. This is the thousand year or reign of Christ called the Millennium. It will be a time of peace, abundant provision and joy.

Rev 20:4-6 (ESV) Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. … The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

5. THE COMING KINGDOM

AUTHOR: Gavin Paynter

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NOTE 1: Biblical illustrations by Jim Padgett, courtesy of http://sweetpublishing.com

NOTE 2: Illustration from http://www.freebibleimages.org

Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from the NIV:THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB:New American Standard Bible®,Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman FoundationUsed by permission. (http://www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV: Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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