The Eternal Kingdom

Introduction

When thinking about matters pertaining to the second coming of Christ, one area that creates a great deal of confusion is the subject of the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God simply refers to the rule and reign of God. In that sense, it is right for us to say that God has always been reigning and the kingdom of God has been around for all of eternity.

However, there is a special sense in which the kingdom of God was progressively being revealed. We can look and see a beginning point to the kingdom of God.

We will also see a sense in which the kingdom of God is still something that we are hoping to receive.

The subject of the kingdom — and the nature of the kingdom — are critical to understanding the role and the purpose of Christ’s first and second coming.

Last week we considered the first coming of Christ and how Jesus has taken His place on the throne. That was why He came the first time. He established His kingdom as we will see and discuss this week.

Understanding the kingdom is another important key in understanding the second coming of Jesus.

The Eternal Kingdom in Prophecy

God promised that He would establish His kingdom, an eternal kingdom that would never be destroyed - Dan 2:44

The kingdom was promised to be through the lineage of David - 2 Sam 7:14-16

Davidic lineage, from David to Solomon and ultimately to Jesus

David’s house and throne would be established forever

It is this promise that becomes a key part of the prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the kingdom.

Psalm 89:20-29, 35-37

Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 11:1-10

The law of the kingdom would be proclaimed in Jerusalem and it would be for all the nations - Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-2

The kingdom in prophecy was a promised restoration of Israel.

While this gave an expectation of physical, national Israel with its earthly king and its earthly borders, the Jews should have also been asking how this was going to happen.

Because these prophecies involved “all nations” being brought together under the Anointed King on David’s throne.

The kingdom wasn’t going to be isolated to the land of Israel and the Jews. It was going to encompass the world and be for people of every tribe, nation, and tongue.

The kingdom of God was going to be different in nature than the earthly world powers - Daniel 2:44-45

The kingdom of God did not literally destroy the dominion of Rome or any other world empire.

It was promised to be established in the days of the Roman kings.

It would be a kingdom that would dominate earthly kingdoms, but itself would not be an earthly kingdom.

It would last forever. Therefore, it must be different in nature!

The Eternal Kingdom is Here

The New Testament opens with high anticipation that the kingdom of heaven is at hand - Matthew 3:2; 4:17

“At hand” was defined by Jesus’ teaching to be within the lifetime of that generation that lived and heard Jesus teach and preach - Mark 9:1

The New Testament makes very clear that Jesus is a son of David - Matthew 1:1, 6; Luke 1:27, 32-33

The New Testament declares the gospel and announcement that Jesus is the King of the anticipated kingdom of God

When Jesus was on trial before Pilate, He would not deny that He was a king. Instead, Jesus said that His kingdom was of a different king - John 18:36-37

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the declaration that Jesus is the resurrected King of life. He is the descendant of David who has been raised to sit on the throne - Acts 2:30-31

Jesus promised that the kingdom would be established - Mark 9:1; Matthew 16:18-19, 28

This kingdom was found in the church that Jesus would build.

The King came and He reigns. He has been given all rule, authority, and power - Ephesians 1:20-23

This is language that conveys kingly power and authority

The kingdom is seen in the church

We can be citizens of the kingdom of God - Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9

What this means for us is that the kingdom of God is here today!

It was established prior to AD 70.

It is not something that will be established in the future for a 1,000 year reign on the earth.

The King came during the exact right moment (Daniel 2:44, the days of the Roman empire).

The Eternal Kingdom is Coming

While the kingdom of God is something that has been established and is here, there is also a sense in which we are still anticipating and waiting for the fullness and completed kingdom.

This does not mean that it is any less a kingdom or that Jesus is any less of a King.

On the contrary, Jesus is the King that came and built His kingdom 2,000 years ago.

“Kingdom” is sometimes referring to the heavenly kingdom which we have not yet received - 2 Timothy 4:1, 18

“In the future...” - 2 Timothy 4:8

Receiving the crown of righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:8

God promises that we will inherit the kingdom of God - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21

Entrance into the eternal, heavenly kingdom of God requires that we be born again - John 3:3, 5

Remaining a citizen of the heavenly kingdom of God requires moral, godly living. We can forfeit our inheritance and God can remove us from the inheritance if we are not found to be faithful - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21

This refers to the eternal kingdom in heaven and our existence before God - 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, 50

The resurrection of the dead will occur at the end

Christ will hand the kingdom (that already exists) back to the Father

Nothing demands a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

“Inheritance” implies that it is something that we have not fully received.

This does not mean we are not truly children of God. That would be like saying Xander and Zeke are not my children because they haven’t received their inheritance.

Conclusion

Are you truly a citizen of the kingdom of heaven? We’d encourage you to confess your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and clothe yourself with Him in baptism to have your sins washed away.

You will then be transferred into the kingdom of Christ.

Are you living faithfully in the kingdom of God so that you will inherit the future kingdom of God in heaven?

If you are living in sin, we pray that you will repent and return to the Lord.

We sing this song to encourage to think about your life.