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The Kingdom of God has been inaugurated in the first advent of Jesus, who now sit enthroned and reigns in heaven. His Kingdom continues to expand by the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Church, which has been given His kingdom mandate to transform society to the glory of God. Presently, Satan has been bound so that he is unable to impede the work of Christ throughout the world. As such, the Church, now, stands as the true, spiritual “Israel,” and will inherit the promises made to nation of Israel at the consummation of the Kingdom in the new earth. Support:
First, the Holy Scriptures affirm that the Kingdom of God was present during the earthly ministry of Christ. John the Baptist, who came before Jesus, to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2, NASB). Then, just a few verses following we see Jesus, himself, proclaiming the same message (Matt. 4:17). Perhaps, even more clearly, Jesus declares later that if I cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit then “the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt. 12:28). As such, these passages point to a reality that the Kingdom of God has been inaugurated, or arrived, through first advent of Jesus, who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
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Jesus taught that there was a sense in which the kingdom of God was still in the future or yet to come, both in specific sayings (Matt. 7:21-23; 8:11-12; 25:31-34) and in parables, such as those of the Talents where he teaches them to steward well what he has blessed them with so that they might “enter into the joy of your master” (Matt.
Gerhard Lohfink, in his book, “Jesus of Nazareth” believes that Jesus’ person and ministry are intertwined, or actually one and of the same. After Lohfink clarifies the difference between the "reign of God" as distinct from the “Kingdom of God,” he asserts that in Jesus, there is this active, ongoing reign which is not only revealed, but is manifested in all He says and does. Lohfink states, that Jesus is “not just preaching about the reign of God, but He is announcing it,” going on to indicating that Jesus is manifesting this reign in His own self disclosure and the actions of His ministry. Jesus ways of teaching and interactions with others, is shown as compassionate, gentle, direct and personal, as well as definitive and bold. As we also find in Ch. 3, “All that is happening before everyone’s eyes. The reign of God is breaking forth in the midst of the world and not only within people.” (51) And for Lohfink, this is taking place in the actual preaching, actions and life of Jesus Christ. Simply, we are personally and collectively and actively a part of establishing this “reign” right here, right now. A “reign” of mercy, compassion, forgiveness, self-giving, sacrificial love, as well as of justice and peace.
The movie Glory is the story of the first African American military unit which fought during the Civil War. This powerful story is told through the eyes of the unit’s leader, Colonel Robert Shaw. The director, Edward Zwick, uses a number of important scenes expressing growth, patriotism and leadership. Whenever there was an obstacle that the 54th regiment needed to overcome faith seemed to be the answer. Faith in their fellow man, faith in their country and faith in God.
The church has more than one definition. The local church, which is a body of believers that have a specific place that they gather to worship and study the Word of God. The other definition is the Body of Christ, which includes every person that has accepted Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Both of these “organisms” preach and nurture Christians, which is missions.” God birthed the church, and when the church puts God at the center of the church, the focus of the church will change from being a church centered mission to a mission centered church and God will begin to use the church as His instrument for missions. Jesus after He was raised from the dead told all of His followers to proclaim that salvation was complete through His death burial and resurrection and it was/is free to those who will receive it. (Luke 24:44-48) The church has been divinely appointed by God to get the Gospel out into the world. The work of the church and God’s message of salvation will be for nothing if the church is not obedient and follow through with the instructions that God has tasked it with. (Acts 10:36) When the church is in line with God’s intention and is Spirit led, God the Father will be preparing hearts, Christ the Son will invite “whosoever will” and the Holy Spirit will convict and draw sinners to respond. (Rev.
The Gospel of Matthew exhibits the plan of atonement and salvation for all people and the beginning of a new era. The Kingdom has come. Matthew’s Gospel is eschatological. Through the direct use of and allusions to the Hebrew scriptures, as well as fulfillment citations Matthew clearly connects Jesus’ life and ministry with Israel’s traditions and promised history.4...
Discussion 2 topics: 1. What is the significance of Perugino’s Christ Delivering the Keys of the Kingdom top St. Peter? The artist Pietro Vannucci, or otherwise known as Perugino (1450-1523) was heavily influenced by Piero della Francesca and other Flemish artists, in the use of light and the uniting of clear lines in paintings. This is especially significant in the piece, Christ Delivering the Keys of the Kingdom to Saint Peter in that Perugino used linear perspective to achieve a feeling of depth and successfully incorporated both 2-d and 3-d elements into his work. The unique placement of the figures emphasizes the pieces axial-center.
The disciples where to face new challenges in their lives, Jesus was to be crucified and they would all leave Him. Then all the disciples deserted him and fled (Matt 26:59} they were now discouraged, they left their master, they seemed defeated and finished. But they were going through a transient period from believers to believers of power who would overcome and turn the world upside down. Jesus had rose from the dead and now he opens their mind to what the scriptures say (Luke 24:45) he now encourages them to stay in the city. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”(Luke 24:48)
The Kingdom of God defined by the Israelites as a physical place here on earth. The Kingdom of God is also called the “Kingdom of Heaven.” It means God’s rule in the lives of His chosen people and His Creation. In the Old Testament, the people in God’s kingdom were the Israelites. In the New Testament and now, the people in God’s kingdom are those who believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes again, then God’s kingdom will become visible to all people. The term “Kingdom” according to (Kingdom of God,2011) means the rank, quality, state, or attributes of a king; royal authority; sovereign power; rule; dominion; monarchy. It can also be used in the context of a divine kingdom, the term Kingdom appears 13 times in Matthews, 7 times in Luke and 2 times in John.
The term millennium does not appear anywhere in Scripture. The idea originated from a thousand year period of time that characterizes the reign of the Messiah. In fact, the phrase “thousand years” is stated six times in Revelation 20. There are three main schools of thought based upon one’s view of the thousand-year reign of Christ. These views are: Amillennial, Postmillennial and Premillennial. Over the centuries these prophetic differences have caused conflict within the body of Christ and are still currently widely debated. Instead of the book of Revelation being the basis of comfort (1 Thess. 4:18) among Christians it has become a bone of contention. However, this controversy should not deter Christ’s disciples from receiving the blessings that Revelation has to offer (Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). Rather, one should study prophecy under the Spirit’s guidance and look at the data provided within the full context of the Word assessing each of the views for correct motives and presuppositions. Therefore, this paper will examine the nature, timing, and duration of the millennium as well as the occupants of the millennial kingdom and the relationship of Israel and the Church to the millennial kingdom. The aim of this paper is to address “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place” (Rev. 1:1, ESV).
Studies of The Old Testament make it evident that kingship is the ruling principle of leadership for a kingdom. There were no presidents with a democracy like The United States has today or communists making everyone equal. There was simply one king, specifically a male, his subordinates, and the kingdom he governed over. Hebrew culture was no different. This is seen through the great kings of the Bible, one of the most well known of them being King YHWH also called Yahweh. Kingship played a vital role in the progression and development of the kingdom of Israel throughout history from the time they first were freed by the mercy of Yahweh. The presentation of ancient Hebrew culture from kingship in the Old Testament reveals the tradition in
Dhanpat Rai Shrivastava was born on July 31, 1880 in the small village of Lamahi, located near the city of Banaras in India. Although born into the Hindu Kaystha caste, made up of professionals including writers, doctors and lawyers, his family was poor. His father was a low paid postal employee. His mother died when he was only eight years old. His father remarried, but Dhanpat Rai did not like his stepmother. He studied Urdu and Persian, languages used in literature and administration in 19th century North India at a nearby school. He recalles his childhood fondly in one of his stories, so it is fairly safe to assume that he was a happy and well cared for child.
Finally, the last book of the Bible inspires hope in the lives of the worshipping church. It depicts they day when God and the Church will be united forever and face-to-face. No longer will there be a temple to go and meet God, because God himself will be the temple (Revelation 21:22). The hope for ultimate intimacy with God forever drives the focus and vision of the church to worship in the meantime. Through good or bad, easy or difficult, success or failure, pleasure or pain… the reality of intimate worship with God for eternity gives strength and eager expectation of the New Earth to come.
In Glen Shultz’s (2003) book Kingdom Education: God’s Plan for Educating Future Generations he addresses the importance of education in coordination with the family and church in developing and training future generations within a biblical worldview. He describes moral decline, increased crime rates, the disintegration of the family and the church’s inability to be the salt of the earth as examples of the increased secularization because of the removal of God and His word from our schools. The author’s answer for these dilemmas is biblical principles that are consistently taught in the home, church and school. Shultz (2003) compared kingdom education to the three legs of a milk stool “on which an individual can safely rest, regardless of the roughness of the ground (Shultz, 2003, p. 12). Kingdom education is defined through the lens of the kingdom of God where God reigns and is active in all areas in and around our lives. The focus of kingdom education is on biblical principles and is the incorporation of these principles into a child’s home, church and schooling. The purpose of kingdom education is twofold, the acceptance of Christ as a personal savior and the development of the mind for God’s use and glory. The three foundations of home, church and school are discussed in regards to the role each has in relation to kingdom education.
The prophet Isaiah lived during a very troublesome era during the years 742-701B.C.E. He preached during the reigns of four kings of Judah: Uzziah (783-742), Jotham (742-735), Ahaz (735-715), and Hezekiah (715-687). Judah faced many challenges and crises throughout those years primarily at the hands of the Assyrian Empire. Isaih interpreted the events as part of the Lord's will, and he encourages the people to trust in the Lord rather than relying on political alliances.
This is represented clearly in Johns Gospel, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (20:21). Jesus’ disciples would preach to the people and tell them to ask God for forgiveness for the sins they have committed and they would receive it, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:23). Jesus, in his resurrected form, gave his disciples this one last mission before he returned to God’s kingdom. As soon as this mission was given to his disciples, he could return to his rightful place because he had accomplished what God had sent him here to do. Jesus died for us all, but when he was resurrected and appeared to the disciples, his disciples realized the true meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The disciples are going to be continuing the work that Jesus was passionate about and helping the people reach their own salvation in the eyes of the Lord. Without that mission of reconciliation, we would be plagued with our debt of sin to
As mentioned before Genesis 3:21 portrayed the future of what was to come because Jesus Christ is the redemptive embodiment of the Missio Dei; John 5:39-41 says, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”The entire Old Testament was portraying Jesus, “The Bible is about God who loves the world so much. This Bibles is about Jesus, God’s gift to the world” (Hanes, 197). John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” In scripture it says, “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” John 1:17. In the Old Testament God displays His grace during Noah’s flood, the exodus, and even God using Joseph to save his family in Egypt. God’s grace is flooded throughout the Old Testament as well. However, Wright says, “the exodus stands in the Hebrew Scriptures as the great defining demonstration of YHWH’s power, love, faithfulness and liberating intervention on behalf of His people” (75). Wright also says, “Jesus Christ is typical of what we have already seen- the identification of Jesus with the great defining functions of Israel’s God” (118). Moreover, since Jesus is God in flesh, Jesus is also brings salvation. “The name Jehoshua, Jeshua,