The Kingdom of God

1. The Pattern of the Kingdom:

a. Creation- Man (and woman) is the pinnacle of God’s creation. We were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This means that we were made to be “image bears.” Mankind was made to reflect God and His nature to the rest of Creation.

b. God is the creator of the world and as His creation, He deserves our worship. It is what we were made to do. We were made to be reflections of who God is and His nature. Following God is the best way to find true fulfillment and Purpose. (Genesis 1:26-27).

2. The Perished Kingdom:

a. Fall/ Sin- The pinnacle of God’s creation rebelled against the awesome creator. In Genesis chapter 3, God’s words are questioned, and Man takes morality into their own hands. Man is banished from God’s presence. Though helped along by deceit, this becomes a pattern in man’s behavior, until God decided to destroy the world and start over with Noah in Genesis chapter six. Man, even after the flood, continue to rebel against God.

b. The perished kingdom refers to sin entering the world. The perfect relationship between Man and God was broken, and separation ensued. This pattern of Man’s rebellion continues today. The is evident in Romans 3:23 which says, “all have sinned.”

3. The Promised Kingdom:

a. Covenant with Abraham- God’s covenant with Abraham is where God begins to reveal his eternal plan through the patriarch Abraham. Abraham’s descendants, the land of Canaan, and Abraham’s descendants under God’s rules are pictures of God’s kingdom.

b. Through Abraham and his descendants God promises to one day bless all the nations (Genesis 17:5). This scripture is fulfilled in Christ. The issue of righteous is not about what you can do, but what Christ has done on the cross. Abraham was selected not because He was so great, but because God’s grace. God’s grace still works that way today. God is looking for faith. (Hebrews 11:1)

4. The Partial Kingdom:

a. Israel- The Israelites are God’s chosen people in the partial kingdom. Everything about the children of Israel, points to the perfect kingdom. However, Even God’s people continue to rebel against their creator. The pattern of the garden is repeated by the children of God.

b. The Israelites are the model for God’s kingdom. However, they are not the actual substance of God’s Kingdom. They just point us to what the kingdom is to resemble. All their laws and practices are examples of what was to come. The substance and laws were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:17)

5. The Prophesied Kingdom:

a. The message of the Prophets- The prophets are God’s mouthpiece and proclaimed about His coming Kingdom. The prophets prophesied not only about their nation, land, rule, and future king God would bring to the people of Israel but also about God’s future people, place, rule, and future king for all the world.

b. Jesus said that the scriptures speak of Him. Jesus fulfills various prophesies in his birth, life, and death. The bible is God’s story and woven in that story is the constant foreshadowing of the Messiah, who is to be salvation for the entire world (Isaiah 42:10).

6. The Present Kingdom-

a. Virgin Birth- Jesus was born of a virgin. Many people will say that this is like other stories however, there is no story like the virgin birth story in the bible. (Isaiah 7:14).

b. Incarnation and Deity (fully God-fully man)-The incarnation of God is a mystery. The Incarnation is significant because what other God would enter into their creation for sinful mankind. God decided to come down from heaven and enter time and space to save you and me (Isaiah 7:14).

c. Jesus’ Life (person and ministry)- Jesus Christ lived the life that we couldn’t live. He was tempted in every way but without sin. (Hebrews 4:15). He demonstrated love and taught the disciples to do the same.

d. Jesus’ Death- Christ death on the satisfies God’s wrath on humanity. Jesus’ is the perfect lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (Jn 1:29, Rev. 12:11)

e. Resurrection- Christ rose and conquered sin and death. Death not long has power because He rose to eternal life. If Christ rose, we too shall rise and live with Him forever. God gives to all who believe accessed to eternal life. (John 11:25)

f. Ascension- Finally, Christ has ascended into heaven. Christ now intercedes on our behalf. He is our high priest and is our mediator. (1 timothy 2:5).

7. The Proclaimed Kingdom:

a. The Holy Spirit- One of the ministries of the holy spirit is to empower believers for services. Jesus tells the disciples to wait for “power” from on high. (Luke 24:49). Before the disciples went to proclaim the Kingdom of God, it was imperative that they received the promise of the holy spirit first. The book of acts is called the acts of the apostles, but it could rightly be called the acts of the holy spirit.

b. The Church- The church is now the mouthpiece of God that shares God’s kingdom to the rest of the world. Couple with the influence of the holy spirit the church has and will do much to advance the gospel of the kingdom of God. (Matthew 16:18).

8. The Perfected Kingdom

a. Christ’s Return- Christ will return a second time Peter tells us that God is not slack concerning his promise. This scripture was in response to people wondering if the lord is going to return. Jesus is coming back, and it is going to be soon. Therefore, we must be ready! (Revelation 22:20)

b. Our Response to the Gospel- God will one day Judge the world and it is imperative that we do respond to the Gospel. Since we know that Christ will return but we do not know when Christ shall return, we must get our hearts ready today (John 3:16). As the bible says, today if you hear the voice of the lord harden not your hearts. (Hebrews 3:15)

c. Restoration- When Christ return, He will make all things the way they were in the Garden. Revelation says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev 21:4). God will make all things new. (Revelations 21:5).