Christ and The Kingdom Much misinformation and error about Christ and the kingdom circulates in the world and among the denominations. People are misled and, as a result, confused and bewildered. This, however, need not be. God has revealed the plain, simple truth about Christ and the kingdom. Christ established the kingdom. He declared, “On this rock I will build My church” (Matt. 16:18). He then immediately exchanged “church” for “kingdom” (Matt. 16:19). Thus, the kingdom He promised to establish is also known as the church; body, house, etc. (Eph. 1:22, 23; 1 Tim. 3:15). We see this kingdom in existence during the first century. Paul said the Colossians were in the kingdom (Col. 1:13). John wrote the seven churches of Asia and said, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom…” (Rev. 1:9). Inasmuch as men were in the kingdom in the first century, we know the kingdom was established. Christ now reigns over the kingdom. There is a recurring theme in connection to the resurrection of Christ; He is now on His throne. Peter proclaimed a risen, ruling Redeemer on Pentecost. He said David foretold of the resurrection of Jesus, that God “would raise up the Christ to sit on his [David’s] throne, he [David], foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ” (Acts 2:30, 31). He was “exalted to the right hand of God” and is now “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:33, 36). Jesus’ position of power in the kingdom is at the right hand of God where He now sits. The Hebrew writer made this point abundantly clear to his audience—an audience that desperately needed to be impressed that Jesus is the King of kings, not “will be” King of kings (Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2). Christ will give the kingdom to God when He returns. Contrary to popular belief, when Jesus comes back, He will not establish a kingdom. Jesus will not have a 1,000-year reign on earth from a throne in Jerusalem. His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36). Rather, His kingdom is spiritual. When the Lord returns for the great Day of Judgment, He will cease to rule. Paul said Christ’s reign, rule and power, will end at the end. He will deliver the kingdom to God, not accept it from Him (1 Cor. 15:23-26). If Christ has established the kingdom, now reigns over that kingdom, and will turn it over to the Father when He returns, then what does that mean for us? Simply put, we must submit to His rule and enter the kingdom on His terms. Jesus told Nicodemus the way into the kingdom was by the new birth (Jn. 3:3-5). This new birth is spelled out in detail in the preaching of Jesus and His apostles. Jesus said we must believe and be baptized (Mk. 16:16). Peter said we must repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). When we do this, we enter the kingdom (1 Cor. 12:13). As a faithful citizen of the kingdom we can look forward to being delivered to God, that is, going to heaven. Have you submitted to Christ and entered the kingdom?
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 09:20:09 +0000
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