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A SYSTEMATIC STUDY IN BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

CHAPTER IV

-THE KINGDOM OF GOD-

THE establishment of the Kingdom is an extremely important aspect that is central to this overall study.  The question that must be answered is: When was /or is the Kingdom of God established?

Rev.1:4-6—“John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth.  Unto Him that loved us, and released us from our sins by His blood; and HE MADE US TO BE A KINGDOM, to be priests unto His God and Father; to Him be glory and the dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.”

All who are elected as priests within the invisible Church /and historic Israel, have become partakers in the Kingdom. Rev.1:9 

John has also stated in Rev.1:6, that Jesus has made us to be a Kingdom; To be priests unto His God and Father. 

And we shall see in this next Scripture, that this Kingdom presently reigns upon the earth.

“Worthy are You (Jesus) to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for You were slain and did purchase unto God with Your blood, MEN OF EVERY TRIBE, AND TONGUE, AND PEOPLE, AND NATION, and made them to be unto our God A KINGDOM AND PRIESTS, and THEY REIGN UPON THE EARTH.”  (Rev.5:9 and 10)

This is a clear picture of the reigning Church: And for us to attempt to futurize this Scripture in any way, would be very speculative at best.

-Reign-

“For if by the trespass of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one: Much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the One, even Jesus Christ.” (Rom.5:17)

“You have come to reign.” (1Cor.4:8c)

The Kingdom spoken of in Rev.1 and Rev.5 is called a royal priesthood in 1Pe.2:9.  The Greek word used here is "basileion", which means: A palace; kings court.

“But you (of the Church) are an ELECT race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession.  That you may show forth the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His Marvelous Light.  WHO IN TIME PAST WERE NO PEOPLE, BUT NOW ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD.” (1Pe.2:9)

The universal character of God's people is more clearly seen in this Scripture when compared to Ex.19:3-6.  Considering that God's own Kingdom possession, His holy nation that was initially manifested in His first peoples Israel, is now being gathered out from all of the nations of the world.

(It was) God, who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Col.1:13)

For the members of the Church to be delivered out of the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of the Son of His love, the Kingdom must already have an established presence; As it is Jesus' own Kingdom.

Some denominations would teach, that the Church has no right at all to give out the Kingdom message.  They speculate that the Kingdom message is for Israel in the future.  But we need only take the Scriptures at their face value to see the total error of that teaching:

“The law and the prophets were until John: From that time the gospel of the Kingdom of God is preached.” (Lu.16:16)

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk.1:14,15)

“After the passion, Jesus appeared unto the disciples over the space of forty days, speaking the things concerning the Kingdom of God.” (Acts.1:3)

“But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts.8:12)

“Paul preached in the synagogues for the space of three months the things concerning the Kingdom of God.” (Acts.19:8)

“Paul, preaching in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, exhorting them, that through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts.14:21 and 22)

Paul states: “He always preached the Kingdom of God.  Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts.20:25-27)

The Kingdom message was the message of the Church in its origin, just as the Kingdom message continues to be the message for the Church today:

“And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Mat.24:14)

“The Kingdom of God comes not with observation... The Kingdom of God is within (or covering) you.” (Lu.17:20 and 21)

“For the Kingdom of God is not in eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  For he that herein serves Christ, is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.” (Rom.14:17 and 18)

The Kingdom of God is not a mythical millennial kingdom, but an eternal Kingdom where God now dwells in His people: And will dwell with His people. JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH

The Church presently represents the Kingdom of the Son of His love.  A Kingdom, to be priests unto His God and Father.  We must see that these reign not only as priests here on earth [Rev.5:9 and 10], but they also reign as priests of God and of Christ in heaven [Rev.20:6].  At the same time!  Another real mystery!