1 Lesson 8 The Kingdom of God

2 Kingdom – Rule (1) Vines Definition – (basaileia) Basaileia (kingdom) is primarily an abstract noun, denoting sovereignty, royal power, dominion,.. then, by metonymy, a concrete noun, denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules.

3 Is the Church and the Kingdom the Same? We miss the point re. kingdom when we think of people -- the "party" -- instead of "rule." Check your lexicons. As Vine says, "Basaileia (kingdom) is primarily an abstract noun, denoting sovereignty, royal power, dominion,.. then, by metonymy, a concrete noun, denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules." Note, "by metonymy," figure of speech, it means the people. Think "rule," not "people," when you speak of Christ's kingdom. (Robert Turner, Plain Talk, June 1967 )

4 Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (NKJV) And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (ASV)

5 Daniel 2:44 - Sovereignty In Dan. 2:44 this distinction makes an extremely important point. The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, and (KJ) "the kingdom" shall not be left to other people; (AS) "the sovereignty thereof." Thinking "people" "party" or something like that, we might conclude that some distinction would remain with a certain party, regardless of what they did. (Some commentaries actually draw this conclusion.) But the passage says the "sovereignty" or "rule" would not change. (Robert Turner, Plain Talk, June 1967 )

6 The Kingdom is the Church (1) Many figures used to denote God’s people Church (Acts 2:47) Kingdom (Colossians 1:13) Body (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4) Bride (Ephesians 5:22-33) Etc. Each figure designed to enlighten us regarding some aspect of the church

7 The Kingdom is the Church (2) The Timeline shows the two to be the same Yet future during Christ’s ministry (cf. Mark 9:1; Matthew 16:18)

8 Mark 9:1 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power."

9 Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

10 The Kingdom is the Church (2) The Timeline shows the two to be the same Yet future during Christ’s ministry (cf. Mark 9:1; Matthew 16:18) Kingdom Promised fulfilled in Acts 2:1-4 Church established in Acts 2 (cf. 47) Kingdom in existence during the time of the apostles (Mark 9:1; Colossians 1:13)

11 Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

12 The Kingdom is Spiritual Jesus clearly affirmed His kingdom to be spiritual in Pilate’s court John 18:36

13 John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

14 The Kingdom is Spiritual Jesus clearly affirmed His kingdom to be spiritual in Pilate’s court John 18:36 Jesus corrected the Pharisee’s erroneous concept of the kingdom Luke 17:20-21

15 Luke 17:20-21 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 “nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

16 The Establishment of the Kingdom Old Testament Prophecies Isaiah 2:2-3; Daniel 2:44

17 Isaiah 2:2-3 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD'S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

18 Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”

19 The Establishment of the Kingdom Old Testament Prophecies Isaiah 2:2-3; Daniel 2:44 Jesus’ Promises Mark 9:1; Acts 1:6-8

20 Mark 9:1 And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

21 Acts 1:6-8 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

22 The Establishment of the Kingdom Old Testament Prophecies Isaiah 2:2-3; Daniel 2:44 Jesus’ Promises Mark 9:1; Acts 1:6-8 The Prophesies and Promises Fulfilled Acts 2:1-4; (note: after Pentecost, the kingdom is spoken of as in existence, cf. Col. 1:13)

23 Kingdom Fallacies The Kingdom is Physical It is spiritual (John 18:36) The Jews are still God’s chosen People Romans 11:11-24 No distinction between Jew and Gentile regarding the kingdom The Kingdom is Yet future Mark 9:1; Colossians 1:13