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THE KINGDOM
The Kingdom is an encompassing concept, reaching back into the Old Testament and projecting forward into eternity; it is the goal for God’s creation. But it is only known because God has revealed it to man, otherwise man would exist in ignorance and death. The Kingdom is the rule of God and the realm of His rule: the rule is absolute, meaning that it is Sovereign, and the realm of the rule is cosmic and eternal. Ultimately, the Kingdom is God’s abiding presence with His redeemed people and His everlasting reign over them.
Throughout history, especially since the time of Christ, the Kingdom has been operating incognito, known only by those who are a part of the Kingdom and, therefore, are aware of its existence and understand its dynamic nature. In order to have knowledge of the Kingdom an individual must be a part of the Kingdom; the Father teaches the children. And the one who knows of the Kingdom constantly prays” “Your kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10).
There are two concepts/forces/realities opposed to each other: the kingdom of man vs. the Kingdom of God. From the parables of Christ we learn that the Kingdom of God begins small and grows larger and larger, anticipating the time when the angel will proclaim: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
Consideration will be given to the following topics:
Announcement of the Kingdom
Terminology of the Kingdom
Misunderstanding by the Nation of Israel
Mystery of the Kingdom
Parables of the Kingdom
Nature of the Kingdom
Establishment of the Kingdom
The Kingdom and Social Action
Concluding Facts Regarding the Kingdom
Return to: Life and Teaching; Next Article: Salvation Through Suffering
For overview of THEOLOGY, see: Site Map - Theology
THE KINGDOM
The Kingdom is an encompassing concept, reaching back into the Old Testament and projecting forward into eternity; it is the goal for God’s creation. But it is only known because God has revealed it to man, otherwise man would exist in ignorance and death. The Kingdom is the rule of God and the realm of His rule: the rule is absolute, meaning that it is Sovereign, and the realm of the rule is cosmic and eternal. Ultimately, the Kingdom is God’s abiding presence with His redeemed people and His everlasting reign over them.
Throughout history, especially since the time of Christ, the Kingdom has been operating incognito, known only by those who are a part of the Kingdom and, therefore, are aware of its existence and understand its dynamic nature. In order to have knowledge of the Kingdom an individual must be a part of the Kingdom; the Father teaches the children. And the one who knows of the Kingdom constantly prays” “Your kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10).
There are two concepts/forces/realities opposed to each other: the kingdom of man vs. the Kingdom of God. From the parables of Christ we learn that the Kingdom of God begins small and grows larger and larger, anticipating the time when the angel will proclaim: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
Consideration will be given to the following topics:
Announcement of the Kingdom
Terminology of the Kingdom
Misunderstanding by the Nation of Israel
Mystery of the Kingdom
Parables of the Kingdom
Nature of the Kingdom
Establishment of the Kingdom
The Kingdom and Social Action
Concluding Facts Regarding the Kingdom
Return to: Life and Teaching; Next Article: Salvation Through Suffering
For overview of THEOLOGY, see: Site Map - Theology