The Kingdom of GodThe Kingdom of God

The Mediatorial Kingdom in The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Epistlesthe Epistles

Some General Comments about Some General Comments about the Epistlesthe Epistles

21 of the 27 books in the NT are epistles21 of the 27 books in the NT are epistles• 13 were written by the Apostle Paul13 were written by the Apostle Paul• 3 by the Apostle John 3 by the Apostle John • 2 by the Apostle Peter 2 by the Apostle Peter • 1 by the author of Hebrews 1 by the author of Hebrews • 1 each by James and Jude, brothers of the Lord 1 each by James and Jude, brothers of the Lord

JesusJesus The span of time during which most of the The span of time during which most of the

epistles were written was between 45 and epistles were written was between 45 and 70 AD. (The Epistles of John were written 70 AD. (The Epistles of John were written between 85 and 90 AD).between 85 and 90 AD).

The Significance of the EpistlesThe Significance of the Epistles

The gospels give answers as to who Jesus was and why He came.

Acts is an action-packed narrative of what Jesus continued to do and teach through the Spirit in the new institution of the church. Acts still leaves a lot of questions concerning the church.

These questions are answered in the epistles, which are direct revelation from God to the Church.

The Church in the EpistlesThe Church in the Epistles The epistles are addressed to churches or The epistles are addressed to churches or

members of churches; not one is members of churches; not one is addressed to saints of “the kingdom of addressed to saints of “the kingdom of heaven.”heaven.”

The frequent occurrence of the term The frequent occurrence of the term evkklhsi,a in the epistles suggests that in the epistles suggests that they are concerned primarily with this they are concerned primarily with this particular body of the saved. This term particular body of the saved. This term occurs:occurs:• 3 times in the Gospels (all 3 in Matthew)3 times in the Gospels (all 3 in Matthew)• 19 times in the Book of Acts19 times in the Book of Acts• 67 times in the Epistles (87 times including the 67 times in the Epistles (87 times including the

Apocalypse)Apocalypse)

The Church in the EpistlesThe Church in the Epistles The epistles are chiefly concerned with the career of the The epistles are chiefly concerned with the career of the

church on earth in time, between its birth at Pentecost and church on earth in time, between its birth at Pentecost and its completion at the rapture. For the church this period is its completion at the rapture. For the church this period is a time of:a time of:• humiliation (Phil 3:21)humiliation (Phil 3:21)• testing (Jas 1:12)testing (Jas 1:12)• trouble and persecution (2 Cor 4:8-9)trouble and persecution (2 Cor 4:8-9)• suffering and groaning (Rom 8:18-23)suffering and groaning (Rom 8:18-23)• patient endurance (Jas 5:7-8)patient endurance (Jas 5:7-8)• refining and perfecting (Jas 1:2-4)refining and perfecting (Jas 1:2-4)• agonizing conflict (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7)agonizing conflict (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7)• unrelenting struggle toward a goal which lies beyond this age unrelenting struggle toward a goal which lies beyond this age

and world (Phil 3:12-14)and world (Phil 3:12-14) In the present then, the church walks by faith and lives in In the present then, the church walks by faith and lives in

hope, enduring hardship and keeping itself fixed on the hope, enduring hardship and keeping itself fixed on the things above.things above.

All of this stands in sharp contrast with the prophetic All of this stands in sharp contrast with the prophetic picture of the kingdom as an age of rest and blessing, picture of the kingdom as an age of rest and blessing, which is the goal of all human history under God.which is the goal of all human history under God.

The Kingdom in the EpistlesThe Kingdom in the Epistles The word “kingdom” (The word “kingdom” (basileiabasileia) is used 18 times in the ) is used 18 times in the

epistles, 8 in the expression “kingdom of God” and 7 in epistles, 8 in the expression “kingdom of God” and 7 in connection with the kingdom being assigned to the Lord connection with the kingdom being assigned to the Lord Jesus Christ. (The other 3 uses are in 1 Thess 2:12; Heb Jesus Christ. (The other 3 uses are in 1 Thess 2:12; Heb 12:28, and James 2:5).12:28, and James 2:5).

Some of these usages specifically assert that the kingdom Some of these usages specifically assert that the kingdom is yet is yet futurefuture to the present age of the church (2 Tim 2:12; to the present age of the church (2 Tim 2:12; 4:1, 18; 2 Pet 1:11).4:1, 18; 2 Pet 1:11).

Others express futurity through the concept of the kingdom Others express futurity through the concept of the kingdom as an inheritance (1 Cor 6:9, 10; 15:50; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:5; as an inheritance (1 Cor 6:9, 10; 15:50; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:5; James 2:5).James 2:5).

The idea that Christ and the saints are reigning in the The idea that Christ and the saints are reigning in the kingdom of God in the present age is refuted by the apostle kingdom of God in the present age is refuted by the apostle Paul (1 Cor 4:8).Paul (1 Cor 4:8).

Such texts as Rom 14:17, 1 Cor 4:20, 1 Cor 15:24, Col 1:13, Such texts as Rom 14:17, 1 Cor 4:20, 1 Cor 15:24, Col 1:13, Col 4:11, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Thess 1:5 and Heb 12:28 can all Col 4:11, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Thess 1:5 and Heb 12:28 can all be harmonized with the concept of a future kingdom.be harmonized with the concept of a future kingdom.

It is important not to confuse the throne of God in heaven It is important not to confuse the throne of God in heaven with the Davidic throne on the earth (Rev 3:21; Matt 25:31).with the Davidic throne on the earth (Rev 3:21; Matt 25:31).

The Kingdom during the Present The Kingdom during the Present Church AgeChurch Age

Some necessary distinctionsSome necessary distinctions• Christ rules His church today (though He is Christ rules His church today (though He is

never called king of the church), but this rule is never called king of the church), but this rule is different from that of the mediatorial kingdom.different from that of the mediatorial kingdom.

• Christ also continues to rule, as always, in the Christ also continues to rule, as always, in the universal kingdom.universal kingdom.

• Christ’s rule in His mediatorial kingdom will be Christ’s rule in His mediatorial kingdom will be very different from both His control over the very different from both His control over the church and His providential rule of the church and His providential rule of the universe. To confuse these different rules universe. To confuse these different rules brings serious consequences (see McClain, pp. brings serious consequences (see McClain, pp. 438-39).438-39).

The Kingdom during the Present The Kingdom during the Present Church AgeChurch Age

The present relation of the The present relation of the BasileiaBasileia (kingdom) to the (kingdom) to the EkklesiaEkklesia (church) (church)• During the period from Pentecost to the second coming of During the period from Pentecost to the second coming of

Christ, the mediatorial kingdom is said to be in Christ, the mediatorial kingdom is said to be in abeyance.abeyance.• This kingdom does have a present existence, however, in two This kingdom does have a present existence, however, in two

senses:senses: God is today saving and preparing in the church the members of God is today saving and preparing in the church the members of

the royal family who are destined to rule with Christ in the future the royal family who are destined to rule with Christ in the future established kingdom.established kingdom.

When a believer is born again, he becomes part of this kingdom to When a believer is born again, he becomes part of this kingdom to be revealed in the future (Col 1:13).be revealed in the future (Col 1:13).

• The church of the present age enjoys many of the The church of the present age enjoys many of the spiritual spiritual blessings which in the Old Testament were predicted in blessings which in the Old Testament were predicted in connection with the messianic kingdom of the future:connection with the messianic kingdom of the future:

Pardon for sinPardon for sin Justification through faith by means of imputed righteousnessJustification through faith by means of imputed righteousness RegenerationRegeneration Coming of the Holy Spirit upon menComing of the Holy Spirit upon men

• The parables in Matthew 13 describe the present time period The parables in Matthew 13 describe the present time period as one of as one of preparationpreparation for the establishment of the kingdom at for the establishment of the kingdom at the end of this age.the end of this age.

Next Week: The Mediatorial Next Week: The Mediatorial Kingdom in the ApocalypseKingdom in the Apocalypse

Part IPart I

Guidelines for Review of Guidelines for Review of The The Meaning of the MillenniumMeaning of the Millennium

Your review should be between 1.5 and 3 Your review should be between 1.5 and 3 pages in length, single-spaced, and should pages in length, single-spaced, and should include the following:include the following:• A general summary of the content of the book A general summary of the content of the book

as a whole.as a whole.• A summary of each one of the four views, A summary of each one of the four views,

followed by your own evaluation of each view’s followed by your own evaluation of each view’s strength and weaknesses.strength and weaknesses.

• Your conclusion as to which is the most biblical Your conclusion as to which is the most biblical view and why.view and why.

Grammar and spelling will count, so please Grammar and spelling will count, so please have someone else read your review have someone else read your review before you turn it in. Also, please send it before you turn it in. Also, please send it as an electronic file (in Microsoft Word if as an electronic file (in Microsoft Word if possible) via email.possible) via email.