The Kingdom of God - Pt 3

The Kingdom of God is the RULE and REIGN of God over His creation. This WILL involve a KING (Jesus), a PEOPLE (subjects/citizens), and a PLACE (Israel/the world).

By way of introduction, I would like to consider another question: “Have you ever wondered why so many people RESPONDED to the message of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles?”

A: They were WAITING—they were looking for; they were ANTICIPATING the Kingdom of God!

There are at least 146 passages (not verses) of Scripture that speak to the Kingdom of God!

As I shared last week, the “Kingdom of God” is used 68 times in ten different NT books. The phrase, “Kingdom of Heaven” is used 32 times in Matthew alone!

So, if the “kingdom”is mentioned 100 times in the NT, that leaves 46 passages (at least) that the OT speaks of the coming kingdom!

The PROMISE of the Kingdom of God is not something we should just casually mention!

CONSIDER the passages in just the PROPHETS: Isaiah speaks of the kingdom seventeen times; Jeremiah six times; Ezekiel five times; Daniel four times; once in Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah; twice in Zephaniah; and six times in Zechariah!

My message this morning is based on the premise that if God had so much to say in PROMISING the Kingdom, then it is at least worth one message in our series. I believe there is much we can learn!

To be realistic with the time for today’s message, I decided to focus on eight of the seventeen passages in Isaiah, asking the following question: “What did Isaiah PROMISE about the Kingdom of God?”

READ (Isaiah 2:1-4) – BYW, there is nearly an identical passage in (Micah 4:1-4) – PRAY

Isaiah 2:1–4 CSB

The vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us about his ways so that we may walk in his paths.” For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.

As I looked at Isaiah chapters 2, 9, 11, 32, 33, 35, 42, and 65, I identified EIGHT THEMES that reveal what is included in the PROMISE of the Kingdom of God:

1. A Promise of the PRESENCE of the Lord!

(2:2-3) – “…the Lord’s house” “…He will teach us” […] “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…”

(33:17) – “Your eyes will see the King in his beauty…”

(33:21-22) – “For the majestic one, our Lord, will be there…”

(35:8, 10)

(65:24) – “Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

In my opinion, the greatest part of the PROMISE of the Kingdom is that we will live for eternity in the very presence of the Living God –

Revelation 21:3 CSB

Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God.

2. A Promise of INSTRUCTION from the Lord!

(2:3b) – “’…He will teach us about his ways wo that we may walk in his paths.’ For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

(9:6) – “…He will be named Wonderful Counselor”

(11:2) – “…a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, […] a Spirit of knowledge”

(11:9b) – “…for the land will be as full of the knowledge of the Lord as the sea is filled with water.”

(11:10b) – “…The nations will look to him for guidance,”

(32:4) – “The reckless mind will gain knowledge…”

3. A Promise of JUSTICE from the Lord!

(2:4a) – “He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples…”

(9:7) – “…and sustain it with justice and righteousness”

(32:16) – “Then justice will inhabit the wilderness, and righteousness will dwell in the orchard.”

(35:4b) – “…Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; he will save you.”

(42:1-4)

4. A Promise of the PEACE of the Lord!

(2:4b) (9:6) – “…Prince of Peace.” (11:6-9a)

(32:17-18) (33:18-19) (35:10) (65:25)

5. A Promise of the AUTHORITY of the Lord!

(9:6b) – “…and the government will be on his shoulders.”

(9:7b) – “…He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness”

(32:1) – “Indeed, a king will reign righteously, and rulers will rule justly.”

6. A Promise of PROSPERITY and CONTENTMENT from the Lord!

(9:7a) – “The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end…”

(32:20) – “You will be happy as you sow seed beside abundant water, and as you let oxen and donkeys range freely.”

(35:1-2, 6b-7) (65:21-23)

7. A Promise of HEALING from the Lord!

(33:24) – “and none there will say, ‘I am sick.’”

(35:5-6a)

8. A Promise of FORGIVENESS from the Lord!

(33:24b) (35:9) – “…the redeemed will walk on it”

It’s quite AMAZING, the promises of the Kingdom! PRESENCE, INSTRUCTION, JUSTICE, PEACE, AUTHORITY, PROSPERITY, HEALING, and FORGIVENESS!

Are we waiting with the same anticipation?