Theology of the Kingdom of God

[JonC]

Scripture tells us that Jesus came proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and that Paul preached the Kingdom of God even to the end.

We often hear the gospel framed in such a way as to escape the wrath to come, forgiveness, etc.....which are all very important. At the same time, the Old Testament, Jesus' teachings, and even the epistles teach about this thing called God's kingdom. On one hand we are told that this kingdom will come in the future, but on another hand we are told that it is here at least in some meaningful way. It has been referred to as a kingdom that is "here and not yet", yet this "not yet" part is not exactly in Scripture. I suppose it would be more correct to say God's kingdom is here and will come in a fuller extent in the future.

But what is your theology of the Kingdom of God?

 

[Iconoclast]

Scripture tells us that Jesus came proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and that Paul preached the Kingdom of God even to the end.

We often hear the gospel framed in such a way as to escape the wrath to come, forgiveness, etc.....which are all very important. At the same time, the Old Testament, Jesus' teachings, and even the epistles teach about this thing called God's kingdom. On one hand we are told that this kingdom will come in the future, but on another hand we are told that it is here at least in some meaningful way. It has been referred to as a kingdom that is "here and not yet", yet this "not yet" part is not exactly in Scripture. I suppose it would be more correct to say God's kingdom is here and will come in a fuller extent in the future.

But what is your theology of the Kingdom of God?

I was first taught that a mystery form of the Kingdom was here now, but then a future literal Kingdom would come to physical Zion and Jerusalem.
Looked at the other three main views.
One good thing is in all 4 views we win in Christ.
I now believe the Kingdom has been inaugurated but will not be fully intact until the last day.
Jesus was coronated Dan7. When He ascended.
He rules in the midst of His enemies now until the gospel spreads worldwide.
Then on the last day the reapers are the Angel's and all things that offend shall be forcibly removed. The Kingdom is delivered up as in 1 cor15.
So we have the already and the not yet.
Kingdom begins .New birth necessary to see it.
Kingdom growth, parable of the mustard seed.
Jesus the full final Prophet speaks from the Heavenly Zion and Jerusalem.

If we were just looking at the newspapers the other 3 views would look like they were correct.

 

[SavedByGrace]

Scripture tells us that Jesus came proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and that Paul preached the Kingdom of God even to the end.

We often hear the gospel framed in such a way as to escape the wrath to come, forgiveness, etc.....which are all very important. At the same time, the Old Testament, Jesus' teachings, and even the epistles teach about this thing called God's kingdom. On one hand we are told that this kingdom will come in the future, but on another hand we are told that it is here at least in some meaningful way. It has been referred to as a kingdom that is "here and not yet", yet this "not yet" part is not exactly in Scripture. I suppose it would be more correct to say God's kingdom is here and will come in a fuller extent in the future.

But what is your theology of the Kingdom of God?

the Kingdom of God was on earth at the time that Jesus Christ walked among humans, because He IS The King of His Kingdom. Interesting is when Jesus says, "the Kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21. KJV). here Jesus is speaking with the unsaved, so the KJV's "within" cannot be right. the Greek is "ἐντός", also has the meaning "among you, in your midst".

 

[37818]

this "not yet" part is not exactly in Scripture.

Well it is in Scripture. Those who belong to the kingdom, that is now. But seeing the kingdom, John 3:3 is yet future, it being in the New Heaven and Earth, Revelation 21:1, Revelation 21:27.

 

[percho]

I was first taught that a mystery form of the Kingdom was here now, but then a future literal Kingdom would come to physical Zion and Jerusalem.
Looked at the other three main views.
One good thing is in all 4 views we win in Christ.
I now believe the Kingdom has been inaugurated but will not be fully intact until the last day.
Jesus was coronated Dan7. When He ascended.
He rules in the midst of His enemies now until the gospel spreads worldwide.
Then on the last day the reapers are the Angel's and all things that offend shall be forcibly removed. The Kingdom is delivered up as in 1 cor15.
So we have the already and the not yet.
Kingdom begins .New birth necessary to see it.
Kingdom growth, parable of the mustard seed.
Jesus the full final Prophet speaks from the Heavenly Zion and Jerusalem.

If we were just looking at the newspapers the other 3 views would look like they were correct.

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Heb 1:2
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Heb 2:14

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Cor 15:50

Did Jesus, the Son of God, have to be changed in order to inherit the kingdom of God?

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: Matt 25:34
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Rom 8:17
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 1 Peter 1:21
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phil 3:20,21


Again: Did Jesus, the Son of God, have to be changed in order to inherit the kingdom of God? When?

 

[percho]

Well it is in Scripture. Those who belong to the kingdom, that is now. But seeing the kingdom, John 3:3 is yet future, it being in the New Heaven and Earth, Revelation 21:1, Revelation 21:27.

I believe the new heaven and new earth is after the kingdom has been delivered up to God the Father.

 

[Iconoclast]

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Heb 1:2
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Heb 2:14

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Cor 15:50

Did Jesus, the Son of God, have to be changed in order to inherit the kingdom of God?

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: Matt 25:34
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Rom 8:17
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 1 Peter 1:21
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phil 3:20,21


Again: Did Jesus, the Son of God, have to be changed in order to inherit the kingdom of God? When?

Daniel 7:13,14 describes Jesus ascending to the throne.

 

[JonC]

I was first taught that a mystery form of the Kingdom was here now, but then a future literal Kingdom would come to physical Zion and Jerusalem.
Looked at the other three main views.
One good thing is in all 4 views we win in Christ.
I now believe the Kingdom has been inaugurated but will not be fully intact until the last day.
Jesus was coronated Dan7. When He ascended.
He rules in the midst of His enemies now until the gospel spreads worldwide.
Then on the last day the reapers are the Angel's and all things that offend shall be forcibly removed. The Kingdom is delivered up as in 1 cor15.
So we have the already and the not yet.
Kingdom begins .New birth necessary to see it.
Kingdom growth, parable of the mustard seed.
Jesus the full final Prophet speaks from the Heavenly Zion and Jerusalem.

If we were just looking at the newspapers the other 3 views would look like they were correct.

Good observations, Iconoclast.

I think that we have to believe that the Kingdom of God is here if not for anything but Jesus said it is.
"Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) I would argue that Matthew 6:10 (the "Lord's prayer" or "model prayer") defines God's Kingdom coming as His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

But at the same time we know that the Heaven and Earth will be made new. What is here will be destroyed. We will be remade. There is a sense that the Kingdom of God is not in its final state....it is not what it will be.

One of my favorite sermons (actually, my favorite sermon) is "Choice Portions" by C.H. Spurgeon. In it Spurgeon expounds on God being our portion. All the Bride wants is the Groom. But likewise, the Bride is the Groom's portion. The Kingdom of God is God's reign. It involves God's intentions, authority, and ruling power. The kingdom points not to the place of God but to God's ruling activities (not a kingdom in Heaven but a kingdom from Heaven).

My concern is that many do not recognize that the Kingdom of God here is not less the Kingdom of God to come when Heaven descends and God dwells once again bodily with man. We long for the coming of Christ, for the New Creation. But at the same time we are new creations. We long for Christ to come again, but at the same time He dwells in us.

Those who are not in the kingdom of God now cannot be in the kingdom of God when the entrance is locked and the wedding ceremony has begun.

Those are my thoughts, anyway.

 

[SGO]

I was first taught that a mystery form of the Kingdom was here now, but then a future literal Kingdom would come to physical Zion and Jerusalem.
Looked at the other three main views.
One good thing is in all 4 views we win in Christ.

If we were just looking at the newspapers the other 3 views would look like they were correct.

Can anyone make an attempt to give a short synopsis of "the four views" with scripture?

Are there really only four views?

If the kingdom was indeed everywhere we would not have to receive Christ or be born again.
Then if that is true, the kingdom is here, but only in a partial sense, right?
But we are reigning with Him now or witnessing using the word of God would be a fruitless exercise, right?

 

[percho]

Daniel 7:13,14 describes Jesus ascending to the throne.

Is it a description of: A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. <Later. to date about 2000 years.------ And it came to pass, <to date about 2000 years) that when he was returned, having received the kingdom,

 

[Iconoclast]

Good observations, Iconoclast.

I think that we have to believe that the Kingdom of God is here if not for anything but Jesus said it is.
"Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) I would argue that Matthew 6:10 (the "Lord's prayer" or "model prayer") defines God's Kingdom coming as His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

But at the same time we know that the Heaven and Earth will be made new. What is here will be destroyed. We will be remade. There is a sense that the Kingdom of God is not in its final state....it is not what it will be.

One of my favorite sermons (actually, my favorite sermon) is "Choice Portions" by C.H. Spurgeon. In it Spurgeon expounds on God being our portion. All the Bride wants is the Groom. But likewise, the Bride is the Groom's portion. The Kingdom of God is God's reign. It involves God's intentions, authority, and ruling power. The kingdom points not to the place of God but to God's ruling activities (not a kingdom in Heaven but a kingdom from Heaven).

My concern is that many do not recognize that the Kingdom of God here is not less the Kingdom of God to come when Heaven descends and God dwells once again bodily with man. We long for the coming of Christ, for the New Creation. But at the same time we are new creations. We long for Christ to come again, but at the same time He dwells in us.

Those who are not in the kingdom of God now cannot be in the kingdom of God when the entrance is locked and the wedding ceremony has begun.

Those are my thoughts, anyway.

I agree that this is where a proper starting point of acquiring a biblical view of what the Kingdom is.
I say starting point because I am constantly including these thoughts in every aspect of my daily life, service, and study
I was first dispensational premill.I might not have been the most accomplished in my understanding of it, but I had a good working knowledge of it.
To say I "was" a dispensationalist is sort of inaccurate.That is because at that time I did not have a functional working knowledge of the other 3 systems.
As a system it was satisfying that it sought to give an explanation of all 66 books
Reluctantly I began to look closer at the other 3 positions.
This is crucial on eschatology and every other area of doctrine.
How can you make an informed decision if you do not understand the other main views?
I would now describe myself as a reluctant postmillenialist.

 

[37818]

I believe the new heaven and new earth is after the kingdom has been delivered up to God the Father.

Which is after the final Judgment. 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, Revelation 20:14.

 

[Michael Hollner]

Scripture tells us that Jesus came proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and that Paul preached the Kingdom of God even to the end.

We often hear the gospel framed in such a way as to escape the wrath to come, forgiveness, etc.....which are all very important. At the same time, the Old Testament, Jesus' teachings, and even the epistles teach about this thing called God's kingdom. On one hand we are told that this kingdom will come in the future, but on another hand we are told that it is here at least in some meaningful way. It has been referred to as a kingdom that is "here and not yet", yet this "not yet" part is not exactly in Scripture. I suppose it would be more correct to say God's kingdom is here and will come in a fuller extent in the future.

But what is your theology of the Kingdom of God?

I believe right now "the kingdom of God is within you" as Jesus said in Luke 17:21 (KJV). "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17) KJV.

The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are separate now, but during Christ's millennium reign on earth, the kingdom of God will be visible as Christ and His Bride will rule over those on earth in the kingdom of heaven.

Bro. Mike
Write the Vision Ministry
www.kjvdebate.com

 

[JonC]

I believe right now "the kingdom of God is within you" as Jesus said in Luke 17:21 (KJV). "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17) KJV.

The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are separate now, but during Christ's millennium reign on earth, the kingdom of God will be visible as Christ and His Bride will rule over those on earth in the kingdom of heaven.

Bro. Mike
Write the Vision Ministry
www.kjvdebate.com

I agree with a clarification. "Within" is not inside of individuals but within the world of man. So I believe a better translation is "among you", not that "within" is incorrect but it is not pointing to the Kingdom inside of individuals.

In other words, Jesus was not telling the Jewish leaders that the kingdom of God is dwelling inside of them, but that the Kingdom of God is in their midst.

 

[SGO]

So when we are born again it's outside?
In the world of man?
Why is it then one at a time with much convincing and dissuading involved?
Isn't church a collective reflection and thanksgiving to God for what He has done inside each of us?
We all try to convince or applaud each others' opinions and change minds.
Minds inside each of us.
Within you is within you.