Kingdom Research
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Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom reiterate many of the same ideas present in earlier Jewish thought. However, what is unique to Jesus’ teaching is the claim that the kingdom (in some sense) had actually arrived.
John the Baptist is the first to preach about the arrival of the kingdom of God (Matt 3:2).
Difference from John’s preaching of the kingdom and that of Jesus.
John preaches a message of judgment and repentance.
While Jesus’ message of the kingdom included elements of judgment and repentance, it also entailed the good news of salvation. Thus, Jesus preached the “gospel of the kingdom” (Matt 4:23; Luke 4:43 ESV).
Jesus’ healings and expulsions of demons are also directly linked to the kingdom of God (Luke 11:19–20). Jesus came to overthrow the Satanic opposition to God’s kingdom (Mark 3:22–27). By casting out demons, He was demonstrating the power and presence of the kingdom (Matt 12:28).
20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
There are two notable aspects of Paul’s teaching about the kingdom.
1. In 1 Corinthians 15:23–24, Paul states that, at the Second Coming and at the resurrection of Christians, Jesus will hand the kingdom of God over to the Father after He has destroyed every other rule, authority and power.