The Kingdom

The Kingdom ...When is it?

When we speak of the kingdom we must be careful to interpret it in its scriptural context. There is a present spiritual phase of Christ’s kingdom and there is also the future earthly phase which our Lord Jesus will establish at His Second Coming, along with His Bride.

Let us first consider the kingdom as it began at Pentecost. In Col. 1:12, 13 we read, “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you .to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves” (NIV). The King James and the ASV read, “and hath translated us into the kingdom;” the NRSV says, “and transferred us into the kingdom.” It is important to note that whatever translation you might use, they all state this fact in the past tense. This process began on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the gathered church and has continued to include all the called out members of the Gospel Age church until completed. We all were slaves to the prince of this world in his kingdom of darkness. Ephesians 2:1, 2 says it well, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” During this present time, there are only two kingdoms in existence: the kingdom of darkness, ruled by Satan and the kingdom of light, ruled by the Son of God. Everyone is living in either one or the other. There are many other references to this present kingdom of light. Some were spoken of by Jesus in the parables in Matthew 13 where he refers to the church as wheat, as a treasure in a field, as a pearl of great price, etc. The Gospel Age is the time when the Lord is “calling out a people for His name,” who will, if faithful, constitute the Bride of Christ and be associated with Him in the future blessing of all the families of the earth (Acts 15:14, Rev. 21:9, Rom. 8:17).

There are some Christians who think that the hope of a future earthly kingdom is something that has only been brought to light in this century or at least no later than the latter part of the 19th century. In the autobiography of a great and well known Christian of the past, George Muller, we read that a hope of a future earthly kingdom played an important role in his life’s decisions. In 1834 George Muller made the decision not to associate himself with other existing Missionary societies of his day. The following is a quote from his autobiography:

“The goal which these religious societies are working toward is that the whole world will be eventually converted. They refer to the passage in Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” or the one in Isaiah 1:9, “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” These passages have no reference to the present dispensation but to one which will begin when the Lord returns. In the present time, things will not become spiritually better, but worse. Only people gathered out from among the Gentiles for the Lord will be converted. This is clear from many passages in God’s Word. (See Mt. 13:24-30, 36-43; 2 Tim. 3:1-13; Acts 15:14.) A hearty desire and earnest prayer for conversion of sinners is quite scriptural. But it is unscriptural to expect the conversion of the whole world. We could not set such a goal for ourselves in the service of the Lord.”

Yes, Christ’s future earthly kingdom will last for a thousand years and it will be a time of regeneration for all mankind.

Revelation 20:6 tells us, “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” Jesus’ Bride will have her part in the “first resurrection.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 tells us2 of this time: “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

The Prophet Isaiah tells us, in many places, the conditions that will exist at the time of that future phase of the kingdom. In Isaiah 26:9 he prophesies: “When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world will learn righteousness.” This will be possible because Rev. 20:1 tells us that at that time Satan will be bound, unable any longer to deceive the nations. What a grand and wonderful time that will be for mankind!
EW

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Lift up your heads, desponding pilgrims;
Give to the winds your needless fears;
He who hath died on Calvary’s mountain,
Will come to reign a thousand years!

Tell the whole world these blessed tidings;
Speak of the time of rest that nears;
Tell the oppressed of every nation,
Jubilee lasts a thousand years.

Haste ye along, ages of glory;
Haste the glad time when Christ appears.
Oh! that I may be one found faithful
To reign with Him a thousand years

A thousand years! Earth’s coming glory!
‘Tis the glad day so long foretold;
‘Tis the bright morn of Zion’s glory,
Prophets foresaw in time of old.

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“During Christ’s reign, the land will become rich and productive. Even the desert will blossom! But something else will happen. The redeemed will reflect the glory of the Savior who has appeared for their redemption. The promise that “your God will come” provides a comforting assurance to all who are discouraged and disheartened. The Lord will step from heaven into the world scene to make society subject to the demands of His righteousness. The blind will see and the deaf will hear, the lame will walk and the mute will shout for joy...people will live holy lives in a world without wickedness and free from the threat of danger. In the Millennial Kingdom, people will be overcome with gladness and joy, while sorrow and pain will flee away. (Read Isaiah 35:1-10)