Prologue: The paper bellow is a response to the shock I had experienced when I got exposed to ultra-dispensational ideas in my school. Firstly, I will say, dispensational theology can be one of the best ways of mining and exploring the vast treasures of the scriptures, especeally those of endtime prophecy. Just check out the wonderful chart at the link bellow and you will see what I mean. http://standeyo.com/News_Files/Trib_Time/Trib_Time_Images/Trib_Timeline_entire.web.jpg
My main problem with it has been the following. Jesus being God, transcends time and space and his message and work cannot just be tied to a single dispensation (i.e. that of His coming, ministry, His death, life and resurrection). He did at times speak of His ministry as being limited to the house of Israel, but He also spoke of others from afar off (i.e. gentiles) entering the kingdom. Therefore I believe, most if not all of his preaching was meant for the whole world and to all subsequent future generations and times not just to the house of Israel in first century Palestine. When the Lion-lamb was roaring in Judea his voice and words were to be eternally relevant and they were to be heard ringing by everyone till He came back to reclaim His inheritance.
Since Paul said follow me as I follow Jesus, he was a continuation of Jesus ministry and I am not sure he should be seen as a stand-alone economy or dispensation. I could accept a softer demarcation line between the two and the dispensation of the mystery has its foundation in Christ’s work. However there is not a clear strong break as from the Law that can be differentiated between say John and Jesus’ ministry. As it is said, “The Law and The prophets were until John” I believe, this period between Jesus and Paul is also where most of the arguments against dispensationalists arise. As dipensationalists say and describe well, events included in this period are, Israel’s rejection, the cross, more rejection and a church made up of gentiles and Christians supplanting the former. The essay bellow is my wonderments against hyper-dispemsationalist ideas.
Since Paul said follow me as I follow Jesus, he was a continuation of Jesus ministry and I am not sure he should be seen as a stand-alone economy or dispensation. I could accept a softer demarcation line between the two and the dispensation of the mystery has its foundation in Christ’s work. However there is not a clear strong break as from the Law that can be differentiated between say John and Jesus’ ministry. As it is said, “The Law and The prophets were until John” I believe, this period between Jesus and Paul is also where most of the arguments against dispensationalists arise. As dipensationalists say and describe well, events included in this period are, Israel’s rejection, the cross, more rejection and a church made up of gentiles and Christians supplanting the former. The essay bellow is my wonderments against hyper-dispemsationalist ideas.
The writing bellow is not always easy reading and some of my viewes have matured since I wrote this essay. Dr. Fowler who is refered in the paper has also sadly passed to be with the Lord. I had grown to love the man for what he has thought me. Except for matters set here and the doctrine of unconditional election, I have had no problem gorging his brialliant, multi-layred and often mind blowing lectures. The references to dispensationalists in the paper bellow is mostly refereing to ultra-dispensationalists not to dispensationalists who rightly divide the word of truth.
Introduction
The disciples had asked Jesus in Acts chapter one, “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” They had asked it out of ignorance, seeking Jesus, their master and teacher to answer their burning question. Jesus had discouraged them from that line of questioning but instead diverted their attention to the task at hand. That task was witnessing the life death and resurrection of their master to the whole world! Interestingly, He had not denied such a kingdom would someday manifest, it was just not to be then.
Isn’t The Kingdom Within us?
20And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 22And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. Luke 17:20-22 (KJV)
The question this paper will ask and try to answer is, whether the phrase ‘The Kingdom of God’ found in scripture is referring to an earthly messianic political kingdom. This idea is something dispensationalists staunchly declare to be true. The above passage seems to be a proof text that they are wrong. However, dispensationalists will say that, ‘within you’ is a faulty translation of the Greek word ‘en-mesu’, whose accurate translation is ‘in your midst’. However, the verse just above that seems to emphasize the invisible, spiritual qualities of this kingdom. Jesus says of the kingdom, “It comes not with observation” even as He stood in the flesh before them. He seems to be saying that, it is not a tangible, visible, earthly kingdom. Also if He were offering an earthly kingdom, it would seem like He had just missed a great opportunity to say so. So why do dispensationalists claim that Jesus was offering an earthly political kingdom? Why do they say that the beatitudes are a Jesus’ political platform, telling Jewish people of first century Palestine, how he would rule if they accept him and crown him? Does that sound somewhat strange?
A Gut Feeling Versus Scripture
I had just come back from class after having a small debate with Dr. fowler as to why the church was not the kingdom of God here on earth. He had said that the kingdom that Jesus and John had preached was an earthly kingdom that had been postponed because the Jewish people had rejected their Messiah. This came against my own background and training, where I was thought that as a member of God’s universal church, which currently is his only representation here on earth, I was also a citizen of the kingdom of God. Hearing this idea that had seemed obvious to me being challenged had made me feel like the rug had been pulled out from under my feet. Perplexed and astonished, I started to ask other Christians if they also believed they were in the kingdom of God and without thinking about it, some immediately said yes. This made me realize that I was not alone in my belief that I was currently part and parcel of the whole of God’s kingdom, which admittedly would have other types of representations.
Catholic Church
The fact that the Catholic Church believes itself to be the kingdom of God on earth is really a peripheral issue. The question is whether the practices and the creedal statements of this religious institution are correct. Its system of faith and practice proves to be fundamentally wrong when seen from an orthodox, biblical point of view. This disqualifies them from being the kingdom of God here on earth, if such a concept is at all conceivable. However, the problems within those creeds and practices are a topic for another discussion. It is duly noted that Augustine, an early catholic theologian one of the great church fathers conceptualized the church as the kingdom of God in his work, ‘The City of God’.
The Question
The question is whether the body of Christ, made up born again spirit filled believers, can be understood to be a part of the kingdom and the only representation of God here and now on this earth. I will try to state and argue this position in this paper. However, I will try not to be doggedly dogmatic, if the facts as stated in the bible lead to a different conclusion. I, in fact acknowledge that this is possible. If my arguments are wrong and I am able to wholly see their error I will then revise my position on the matter!
Experiencing God’s power, The Kingdom
Of course the kingdom I believe I am a part of would not be a kingdom that is an earthly and political kingdom but a heavenly and spiritual one. In short, it is heaven on earth. It is possible I am not using the right words and employing the proper semantics, but God’s presence has been real for me more than a few times and that has made me know that I am part of his kingdom. This type of outlook comes from my charismatic and Pentecostal background where I had experienced and felt the presence and power of Christ many times in worship services and in my own devotional time. Jesus also seemed to have described the kingdom this way,
25And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Matthew 12:25-28 (KJV)
In the above quote from the master we find that He uses the presence of God’s spirit interchangeably with God’s kingdom. Jesus had also described the kingdom not necessarily as an earthly political system of government but as something that was revealed and to be entered through faith.
17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
21In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
23And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Luke 10:17-24 (KJV)
In other words, as far as the disciples were concerned the kingdom has been given, was received and it was to be propagated. Believing that I was part of this kingdom had made me feel special. I had felt like an elite unit where I belonged and had a definite and specific purpose of evangelizing and reaching the world for Jesus. Dr. Fowler, who seemed like a fiery evangelical himself had said that we now have a legal paper or a promise of being a member of that future kingdom but did not yet belong to it. I could accept this statement and still think of myself as being in the kingdom of God. However, this outlook had left me a bit dissatisfied prompting me to write this paper.
Dispensational Postponement
After poring over this I began to do some research to find out what the doctrine of postponement had meant. I was able to ‘google’ an article on the doctrine of postponement written by someone who is a proponent of dispensational theology from the website of a Connecticut church. (http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/dispen/ponepone.htm). In this article the dispensational theology of postponement was posited against replacement theology, which the article had called erroneous. Replacement theology posited that the church had replaced the Jewish nation of Israel as the new kingdom of God on earth after their rejection of messiah king. The article started out saying,
Dispensationalists teach that the kingdom, which was described and promised by the Old Testament prophets, was announced and offered to Israel at our Lord's first coming, but due to Israel's rejection of Christ, the kingdom was postponed and awaits future fulfillment. John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus and the disciples all proclaimed this message: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7). The expression "at hand" means near. The King Himself had come to earth and the kingdom was so near it was almost here! But one fact must not be forgotten. The kingdom offer was conditional. It was offered on the condition of repentance.
I had not subscribed to either doctrine before now. This left me in the middle, wondering if a synthesis of both position or even whether some other explanation might be possible. Up to this point my Christian walk had not necessitated that I take a position. Ignorance had been bliss for me. It had not even occurred to me that it would be something I would have to take a position on. It also occurred to me that it would be a great tactic for Satan to pit believers against each other on controversial issues that had no present solutions. I was happy to let the question resolve itself in eternity future when all questions and debates would be resolved and melt away due to the brilliance of the master as He would tabernacle among his people in the new Jerusalem.
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. [23] And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. [24] And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. [25] And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. [26] And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. [27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Rev. 21:22-27 KJV)
Asking for the Guidance of the Holy Spirit
I began to pore over the different kinds of synthesis of ideas and explanations that were possible and began to prayerfully explore them asking The Holy Spirit for guidance. However it also occurred to me that my present knowledge of the bible might not be enough to either accept or reject these ideas, especially because the scriptures that had to do with a restoration of the Davidic kingdom were scattered throughout the Old Testament. They were not adequately familiar to me as a new testament believer in order to reach a conclusive plateau. Also I had loosely taken those scriptures to mean that Jesus would be the one who would establish the millennial kingdom as a direct descendant of David while all the believers before and after Christ would be present. Upon further study I was able to hone a better picture of how the millennial reign was to be played out but I was still left with a lot of questions.
The Cross was Never a Conditional Event
It was said, “The kingdom that Jesus had preached was solely for the Jews and Jews only”. Losing my sense of belonging to God’s eternal kingdom was not the only reason I had found it hard to accept the statement. There was also something gnawing at my heart though yet beyond the grasp of my intellect that had made me to be at odds with the above statement. I was able to uncover what it was after mulling over the thoughts in my mind. Eureka! The above reasoning had seemed to me to suggest that the cross was also a conditional event as it had come right after the offer of the kingdom. If the kingdom had been accepted (and it was accepted by many in Israel and not just a few (John 3:32, 12:42) would the cross then have been necessary? Was the rejection of Messiah by the Jewish people necessary for the cross to have happened? It would appear to have been so. Jewish elements facilitated the betrayal, rejection and ultimately the death of Jesus Christ our Lord. As we well know, the cross was a prophesied event right from the beginning and if anything was unconditional, it was the cross that Jesus had to bear to save all of us from our sins. The Lamb of God was to be slain even before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). The cross along with the resurrection is the central message of the New Testament church (Machen P. 60).
Postponement and the Problem with Conditionals
Its true God’s word is full of conditions and conditionals. The supposed postponement was dependant upon the rejection or the acceptance of the messiah by the Jewish people. Yahweh had often said things like, “If you obey me you shall eat the good and the fat of the land.” If the kingdom was offered and rejected resulting in its postponement then everything else that came afterwards would have been a condition of that rejection. Or would it? This could include the Lord’s death on the cross, his resurrection and ascension and ultimately the birth of the church itself. Was it at all possible that the cross could not have happened? God forbid!
A Riddle About Acceptance and Rejection
This faulty argument would suggest itself unless of course the two events were completely independent of each other. Stated differently, the cross would have happened whether the Jews had rejected Jesus or not. We can say this without negating the postponement and the prophesied fate for the Jewish nation that’s yet to happen in the future. If the condition of acceptance were to occur the cross would still happen. The only required players would be the Romans to crucify him and a small group such as the priestly class to betray and give him over to them. The whole nation need not reject messiah and in fact not all had. It is said in the bible, “many believed in him.” But many had also rejected him prompting him to say,
37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37 (KJV)
Another explanation mentioned in class by Dr. Fowler was that the rejection itself was a sure thing. God knew the Jews would reject Christ. The condition of acceptance was never a possibility thus necessitating the cross. But why offer something if you know its to be rejected? Perhaps this is to assure its acceptance the next time around it is offered. These are difficult questions to answer but there is no doubt that the cross itself was a sure event that was to happen regardless of any other outcome of events in Palestine. This is because prophecies concerning messiah’s death on the cross abound in scripture. Are prophecies concerning him being rejected by the nation of Israel just as abundant? I am not sure and I will continue to research this query. Concerning their future acceptance, it is said in Revelations Chapter one, “They will see him whom they have pierced and they will weep for him.” It is true this scripture can also apply to all of humanity.
Did Jesus Come to Establish an Earthly Kingdom?
God never starts something that is sure to fail. God’s word says, “My word does not return unto me void without accomplishing the purpose for which I have sent it” (Isaiah 55:11) Perhaps, Jesus had never meant to establish an earthly kingdom like a dispensationalist might argue. It is quite possible He had only meant to establish a kingdom that was a spiritual one (Matthew 11:11). If He hadn’t meant to establish an earthly and political kingdom, then the claim that He was offering one might be untrue. If we are to think dispensational (I.E. periods of time representing dealings of God with unique and exclusive characteristics that do not overlap) then it could be argued the plan was to establish a spiritual kingdom on earth where God desired men and women, both Jews and gentiles to worship him in spirit and in truth I.E the church age (John Ch. 4).
“I came to light fire(s), how I wish it has kindled”
Jesus had completely succeeded in establishing a kingdom in the hearts of men, both Jews and gentiles until a time as when they had a readiness to receive his kingdom of power that would be enthroned in the heavens and on earth attended by all of its full strength, glory, and its armies. Before that would be possible however, messiah had to humbly come on a donkey and bid all gently to believe and come into his kingdom. He had said, “Come all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. My Yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(Matthew 11:29-30)
That He was offering a spiritual kingdom to be established in the hearts of men cannot be denied. A simple reading of the gospels reveals that fact. He had said in John chapter three that, “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again of the spirit and water.” We can easily infer that by this He had meant a spiritual kingdom (born of the spirit) that had an earthly component (born of water). And people were literally coming in throngs to enter this spiritual kingdom, even if they were drawn by temporal blessings.
16The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Luke 16:16 (KJV)
Thy Will be done!
When you are born again by believing and receiving Christ, you are immediately born again into the kingdom (as well as being part of His body and His bride, the church). To say you are not yet in the kingdom is to deny the sense of belonging to the greater whole that is God’s abode that is governed by him. You become part of god’s kingdom not in way demons and frogs and camels are as part of the collective created realm but as an adherent to the revealed will of God in His word. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” This is the exclusive principle for belonging to God’s kingdom here on earth. Where His will is being done there its His kingdom. Therefore, “Thy Kingdom come” Is not just a prayer cry for a future Messianic kingdom but a cry for a present refreshing, revelation (Of Christ anew) and manifestations of God’s presence and power among his people and the contemporary generations.
Therefore, we don’t just have a deed that says we will be in the future kingdom of God but the realities of that kingdom will start to manifest in our lives today. These realities include the peace of Christ for He is the prince of peace. It includes joy, because at his right hand are many joy and pleasusres. To say as dispensationalists might say to a born again person, “You are not in the kingdom but you only have a paper or a deed to the real estate which you will inherit later” may not be correct. It might be more accurate to say you are in the weaning process of the kingdom and will continue to be in it until its full manifestation when Christ returns. Until then don’t fall of the wagon. In the scripture above, Jesus’ words in the King James speaks of entrance into the kingdom using a present-continuous tense implying people have entered, are entering and will enter the kingdom until messiah returns.
Notice that in the above-mentioned verse from Luke, The Lord does not qualify the entrance period by saying, “If all of Israel rejects me then another program will kick in and the kingdom program will be postponed.” The entrance period is a continual period extending even up to the tribulation period. Later in Acts chapter one, even when he had opportunity to state to the disciples this supposed fact of postponement of the kingdom, He brushes off the question and deploys them to go about executing his great commission.
Is this promise for me?
An article from a Westminster website critical on dispensationalist ideas says the following.
Some dispensationalists hold that the sermon on the Mount and most of the Gospels belong to the Kingdom Dispensation which is yet future. The Book of Revelation after the third chapter also is said to belong to the future. Thus only part of the Gospels and the Pauline Epistles are said to be intended for the Christians of today.
(http://www.the-highway.com/Scofield.html)
Nowhere are dispensationalists more polarizing than when they deny the simple believer from possessing the blessings of scripture intended for him. A dispensationalist will say, “The beatitudes were a political platform that Jesus had stated to show how He would rule if he had not been rejected” That seems like a profound statement. Is it not true the beatitudes are the very software for the heart attitude of the church? Here is one of the most defined problems with dispensational thinking in that it makes the very words that Jesus had said we should build our lives on, into a political platform for a messianic government.
It’s true that the Sanhedrin is mentioned in the beatitudes as a panel for mediating disputes failing which would lead to the worse judgment of hellfire. This could be a type and shadow of the heavenly panel of elders that make council on affairs here on earth. The New Testament church also has such a panel of elders who are called to solve disputes. If the beatitudes were only a political platform for an Israelite kingdom then it has no applications for the church. Or does it? Its principles had been and still are the very color and character of the church. The church immediately after the Lord’s departure had those very characteristics that were supposedly meant only for an earthly political kingdom. Being reviled they blessed, they loved their enemies and taught and practiced inward purity charity and righteousness as taught by the Lord.
“Will You Now Restore the Kingdom to Israel?”
The reason the disciples had asked the question, “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” was because Israel, at that time was under the iron handed rule of Rome. If they were asking when there would emerge a sovereign, independent Israel then that prophecy was fulfilled in 1948 when the nation of Israel came into being. Israel was not a free nation during Jesus’ time, boasting of having God’s laws and His Temple within her borders but a mere subject of a foreign power. Where as before she had possessed within her God’s Temple so that all the nations might come to be mediated through her to know The Lord, she had now become a failed endeavor. The new wine had come, and the old plan was supplanted by a new plan, at least for a season (or if you will for a dispensation of time). This new plan was that The Lord would live in the hearts of willing disciples, write his laws on their hearts and send them out to reconcile others by being living, walking temples and by bidding people to come into His kingdom of grace. Paul says in his letters, “You are living epistles.” and “You are the temple of The Holy Spirit.” However God is not yet finished with Israel and she has a role to play in the final end time events just before the return of Messiah. The temple worship will be restored and a king will rule out of Jerusalem.
The Gentle Kingdom
9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zech. 9:9 (KJV)
42:1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. Isaiah 42:1-2 (KJV)
The kingdom, that is now, must be a gentle kingdom because the estranged will of men requires time, patience and many graces to line up with the eternal purposes for which God has intended for it. So God has to unfold his plan slowly over what will seem to us like considerable periods (chunks) of time in order to bring it to full fruition.
19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Romans 8:19-22 (KJV)
The Sermon on the Mount was not messiah’s platform for an earthly Jewish kingdom, as a dispensationalist might claim, but rather the new wine for the brand new church. It’s the high standard for living established for those invited to come into the kingdom and those who would believe and receive grace towards salvation. Its principles continue to captivate the minds of men and women even up to today. The ideas in the sermon are found abundantly scattered throughout the rest of the New Testament. This makes the claim that its principles only belong to a ‘Davidic kingdom’ and are not mentioned or implied anywhere else in the New Testament besides in the gospels, a false one. These infectious principles were the very heart of the New Testament church that had displayed the love and forgiveness that their master had taught, even during harsh persecutions. Stephen is one example of such love. Also compare the following verses.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 1 Cor. 4:12 (KJV)
The kingdom’s good news came first to the Jews because its initial bearers that were to carry it all over the world had to come from the Jewish nation. The kingdom here now is selectively manifested to those who would believe. It is a softer, gentler kingdom because it mediates salvation and reconciliation in a fallen world by bidding them to come in through faith in the gentle savior. No harsh methods are employed to enforce its principles only a gentle appeal is made to the conscience of men coupled with a strong warning to those who would reject or ignore them. In contrast, the millennial reign of Christ is going to start out with a full display of the power of messiah king who had been slain as He comes down with millions of his armies and does away with the antichrist in full display for the world to see (Revelations 19:11-19). Bones will be broken (of the wicked) and skulls will be crushed. He will then rule on earth with His full power and with an Iron scepter. (cf. Psalms 1) A show of strength without a former declaration of peace through repentance and faith would have made Messiah’s rule a tyranny. He has shown His heart to be all love to his beloved creation man. Only after matters here on earth have deteriorated to a beastly tyranny will He come again to the rescue and start to rule with a show of strength to the enemies of goodness. Today, He yet rules in the hearts of those who would willingly welcome him in their abode. “Behold I stand at the door and knock, If anyone opens I will come in and sup with him and he with me!” (Revelation 3:20) What a beautiful gentle invitation that is! Dear ones, I bid you take advantage of it today!
10:1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: 2 Cor. 10:1 (KJV)
When Jesus walked among men the first time He wielded no physical power but the gentle savior kindly visited all with love, mercy, healing and deliverance. Such was his kingdom come. Would someone who had intentions to rule on earth by force come humbly on a donkey when they had legions of angels at their disposal? The answer is, “Probably not”. Jesus could have asked the Father to send legions of angels to help him during his capture and imprisonment.
53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? Matthew 26:53-54 (KJV)
The scriptures He was talking about were scriptures like Isaiah 53 that had to do with the suffering and death of Messiah to save us from our sins. However, He had displayed full authority in casting out all evil sprits that had beguiled men while He was on earth.
15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Col. 2:15 (KJV)
This same gentle appeal continued on with the apostle’s ministry and the kingdom of God came upon those who are possessed of evil spirits and was able to free them. As it stands today the assault on Satan’s hold on men also continues through the church as the kingdom of light clashes against kingdom of darkness in the arena of planet earth. In this war the Christians were to be the gentlest meekest warriors here on earth. Paul said, “let your meekness be known among men” Even as the Lord had said, “Be as harmless as doves..”
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephes. 6:12 (KJV)
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 2 Cor. 10:4 (KJV)
Would Christ’s Millennial Reign be Centered on a Jewish State?
Would this kingdom then be only a Jewish kingdom? They will definitely be part of it as the covenant, the promises, the law and the temple service, pertain to them and are given to them (Romans 9:4). The description of the millennial reign of Christ found in chapter nineteen and twenty of the book Revelations had not made that clear. The reign starts out as Christ comes from above with his armies and totally decimates the antichrist and all of his armies. We are only sure that the martyrs from the tribulation period would be present after being blessed with the ‘first resurrection’. Where would the church then be? Will she remain in heaven until the thousand years are over? I sure hope so. Or will she be numbered among his armies that come with Him? She could be in heaven to that place prepared for her readying herself further for the bridegroom and the wedding that is to take place in chapter twenty.
21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Rev. 21:1-3 (KJV)
In order to argue a postponement and future establishment of a completely Jewish messianic kingdom doesn’t one have to leave the church made up of both Jews and gentiles out of the millennial reign altogether? The solution that Dr. Fowler gave me was not disagreeable to me. We (the church) will reign alongside Christ as his queen during the millennial reign of Christ. Dispensationalists believe the marriage mentioned in chapter twenty-one calling the heavenly city of Jerusalem a bride is not referring to the marriage ceremony of the Lamb to his bride but to another cosmic event. So why can’t we be called the kingdom of God on earth today? I don’t know ask the dispensationalist croud.
Millennial Reign: Jews only or a Heterogeneous Mixture
The question still remains, are the Christian martyrs during the tribulation made up only of Jews? Are the 144 thousand Israelite bondservants that are to be sealed and sent out to preach the gospel going to constitute a large part of this group that will be in the first resurrection (Revelations 4:7-8)? What of those who will survive the seven year tribulation period out of all of the nations of the world? Just like Solomon’s old kingdom, messiah’s reign on earth would be centered in Jerusalem where the affairs of state would be run by Jews and proselytes along with the resurrected martyrs from the tribulation. The rest of the nations although depleted due to the final horrendous war would also enjoy sovereignty and be asked to pay homage to Messiah and his kingship. Although at first this had not seemed plausible to me, I was now open to explore its implications.
The idea of establishing a millennial kingdom centered around a Jewish peoples like in the days of old, might not be contradictory to the whole of the teachings of the bible. I had imagined that since God is making one church body out of Jews and gentiles today (Ephesians 2:16; 1st Corinthians 12:12-13) by doing away with the separation and enmity between the two, that his millennial reign would also consist of a heterogeneous group like those described worshiping God in Revelations (Revelations 7:9-16).
21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 25The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. John 4:21-26 (KJV)
True Worship had been freed from one point and place on the map of the earth to thousands of points and places where men can congregate and even individually worship the Lord. But when Christ returns to reign on earth he would have use of the temple services and ordinances that only Jerusalem can afford. That could be the main reason for the creation of at reconstituted Jewish nation with all the old trimmings of Law and Temple worship readying itself for the coming of Messiah who would rule here on earth.
Of course, the word of God is true and makes every man a liar who goes contrary to it. Therefore, I had to concede that my initial understanding could be wrong and a millennial messianic rule attended by Jews and complete with a newly instituted temple worship was quite possible and might fit the overall teaching of scripture concerning the very last days before eternity. Messiah Jesus is recognized and crowned by the natural branches, the Israelites and begins to rule out of the chosen holy city of Jerusalem. However, at the end of his earthly reign lasting a thousand years a rebellion will ensue. The following quote from the King James Version of The Bible illustrates this fact.
20:5 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Rev. 20:1-9 (KJV)
Why Not Call the Church a Kingdom?
However, it was still not clear to me why the church would not and could not be called the spiritual kingdom of God here on earth. When Christ had said to Pilot,
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. [37] Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:36-37 KJV)
“My kingdom is not of this world, if it were my followers would fight to free me.” It had seemed to me that He had made it clear that his kingdom was an invisible kingdom, which had brought the spiritual realities of heaven into our fallen world that had much needed it. He did not say “I came to rule over the Jews who have rejected me.” Of course saying that He was a king would have made him deserve the punishment as the enemy of Rome for which very reason He had been accused. However, his next statement to Pilot is a veiled one and seems to deny at least his earthly kingship. Yet he had publicly said, “You will see the son of man seated at the right hand of glory.”
It was noted in class that the word ‘kingdom’ seems strangely absent in the Pauline letters that had to do with the revelations concerning the church. We never say, “Did you notice there is air in this room” because it is assumed and it’s so obvious that we don’t mention it. The church, as the only entity claiming to be under the lordship of Christ and being loved and sustained by him, need not say she belongs to his kingdom. That is because it is obvious and that it is assumed to be so. It was noted that rather, words like ‘body’ and ‘bride’ are used to describe the church. These were very intimate words indeed that signify intimacy, oneness, wholeness and complete unity with God. Paul does say we have been translated into (past tense) the kingdom of the light of his dear son (Colossians 1:13). Perhaps the word kingdom was not used more often for the reason that it would fail to describe such closeness and intimacy. The Bride is to be bonded in love with the bridegroom until the consummation of their love in marriage. So much so that she is not merely someone who is to be ruled (As described in Psalm 2 , for example) but an intimate love and desire of the king the way the Shulamite was to Solomon. Interestingly enough this marriage is said to happen after the millennial reign has ended and the bride, it seems is already in heaven.
2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev. 21:2 (KJV)
The Argument For Calling the Church Today to be God’s Kingdom
It is true the church while on earth is a spiritual entity and it consists of regenerated men, women and children who actually inhabit the earth as its members. They take the Holy Spirit with them wherever they go and they practice and fight with the Word of God, which is the sword of the spirit. This is one aspect of the warring church and the Christian Paul talked about in chapter six of the book of Ephesians. The Church also has other aspects, which most entities that are called kingdoms should possess. It has a rightful ruler (God and Christ), a governing constitutional document (The Bible), a governing body (Ecclesiastical Offices and Authorities) and finally it also has the empowering and preserving presence of the Holy Spirit. All this things are suggestive of a real kingdom made of all those believers who have been translated into the ‘kingdom of the light of his dear son’. Either way I was satisfied that whether one were to call the present church to which I belong a kingdom or ‘The Bride’ they are ascribing to her exalted positions of a closeness and nearness with the God of the universe and his Christ.
Conclusion
In the course of writing this paper, I have come to see how the millennial reign of Christ could be centered on a reconstituted Jewish nation, apart from the presence of the church. However, I have not been swayed from my belief that the church is just as well the spiritually powerful kingdom of God here on earth today. I still believe that today’s believers are in the kingdom of God as the Holy Spirit has come to live in them and has become part of the daily lives. Can God be outside of his own kingdom? Where He is present there it must also be the kingdom of God. He is present with us and abides with us. Because the very real presence of the third person of the trinity is among us we must be subsets of his glorious kingdom today. I have therefore concluded that both the church and the future millennial reign of Christ are aspects of the same kingdom of God.
