I can't help coming to the conclusion that the eschatological kingdom is already here, but not yet.
When Jesus said that "If he casts out demons by the Spirit of God, therefore the Kingdom has come upon you" (Matt.12:26), is that what he was saying?
And on another occasion, when some Pharisees were asking about the coming of the Kingdom of God, he said..."For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." Should we think in terms of present reality?
The Kingdom Is Already A Present Reality
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by TCGreek, Jun 21, 2007.
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Me too. Please explain, TC.
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Well, I am sure you know what I believe about it and that is, yes the Kingdom is already here within His children.
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The kingdom is a present reality in the sense that the kingdom is the earth. However the Annointed King has not taken the reigns of this kingdom as of yet. That is yet future when He will take over for Satan who is currently the god of this age.
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The Kingdom of God is within us.
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Just out of curiosity how does a kingdom get inside us? All that I was aware Scripture said was indwelling me was the Holy Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit a kingdom? -
I.Kingdom Concept in the OT:
A. In a sense the entire universe is the kingdom of God (Psalm 22:28; 103:19; 145:11, 13).
B. But we see a kingdom within this kingdom in prophecy (2 Sam.7:16; Dan. 2:44).
C. Jesus is given a kingdom (Lk.1:31-33; 22:29; 1 Cor. 15:24-28).
II. Kingdom Concept in the NT:
A. The Presence of the Kingdom came with the ministry of Jesus (Matt. 4:17; 12:28; Lk.17:21).
B. Satan has a kingdom (Matt.12:26; Lk.11:18).
III. The Mystery of the Kingdom
A. Jesus speaks of the mystery of the Kingdom (Mk.4:11).
B. Matthew 13 is a series of parables about the mystery of the Kingdom.
C. But it will reach its consummation at the end of the age (Matt.13:47-50).
IV. The Kingdom and the Church
A. The Kingdom is not the church, contrary to what some have taught.
B. But the church is the visible manifestation of the saving rule of the kingdom of Christ in the lives of those who have submitted to his rule (Col.1:13).
C. The Kingdom created the church (Matt.16:16-19; Mark 9:1; Acts 2).
D. Christians have been made a kingdom (OT concept Exo.19:4-6; Rev.1:5, 6; 5:9, 10).
V. The Eternal Kingdom
A. Peter tells us of the Eternal Kingdom (2 Pet.1:10).
B. Paul speaks of the heavenly Kingdom (2 Tim.4:18).
C. Christians who suffer now for the gospel’s sake will be a part of the Eternal Kingdom (2 Thess.1:5).
D. Flesh and blood will not inherit it (1 Cor.15:50).
E. And those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb will celebrate their victory at the banquet table in the Eternal Kingdom (Matt.8:11; 26:26-29; Rev.19:7-9).
F. So the Lord’s Supper that we celebrate every Lord’s Day is a vivid reminder of that marriage supper of the Lamb and his bride, the church (1 Cor 11:26).
This is what I believe about the Kingdom of God in a nutshell.
From the SBC website:
IX. The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.
I think the SBC statement captures well, what I have written. -
There has never not been a Kingdom of God. God has always been soveriegn.
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What doctrine prohibits a Triune (3 in unity) God from
have three kingdoms?
1. The Temporal Spiritual kingdom within you
2. The Temporal Physical Millinnial Messanic Kingdom - coming soon
3. The Eternal Spiritual/Physical Universal/Heavenly Kingdom -
Thank you, Ed. Clearly, a distinction must be made.
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Is it ok, Ed...to say
Amen Brother Ed, you are so right on?
If so, I'm saying it. :) -
I see it as one Kingdom but 3 distinct parts, as I believe about the invisible Kingdom that is within you, I see two parts to it. There is part in Heaven that have departed this life, and part still here which is the believers.
It is not different than what you posted, at least I do not think so, it is just the 3 portions of the one Kingdom, being we have the same King of all of them.
Sometimes I think there are too many Kingdoms brought into the equation, that it causes us confusion.
Bbob -
Since they rejected the King, the kingdom was taken from them and will be given to a people producing the fruits of it, which is an eschatological promise. The kingdom described in the OT is not here yet. It will come when the king comes. -
There were some Jews who did accept Christ and I am sure they were not sadducees, so they must of been Pharisees wouldn't they?
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Sure, but that's not the focus of Christ's comments. "The Pharisees" in the gospels are antagonists of Christ, not converts. The context of the question is one based off the OT revelation of a kingdom that would appear and in fact, they could look around and see it by what Christ was doing.
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Even the SBC statement of faith recognizes the presence of the kingdom. So what kingdom Paul was referring to in Col.1:13? It seems to me like a present reality.
How about Rev.1:5,6; 5:9,10? Are we now serving as priests? I don't think anyone would dispute that. But have we been already made a kingdom? -
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I go for the latter. I am not aware of a third option.
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