Scripture: This lesson is a series of Bible references, which we urge the reader to consult.
Background:
In discussing lesson no. 3 we said that although rebellious, wicked men strive over and again to establish an anti-christian, international state, these efforts are frustrated by God in the interests of the Gospel. In this outline we cover the basic question of the Kingdom, using the material of Chapter IV of The Bible and the Life of the Christian.
Outline:
1 – Old Testament references to the Kingdom of God:
Malachi 1:16 exhorts to fear because God is the Lord. Psalms 2, 47, 119:89–91, 24 speak of God’s reign and triumph over His enemies. Man was made in God’s image, Genesis 1:27, so that free-will sacrifices of love and praise might be performed on earth. But since the catastrophic Fall God’s lordship meets with incessant hostility. Between the Fall and Second Coming of Christ Cod is at work to restore the Kingdom of Heaven, and Isaiah 11, Psalm 85, Psalm 24 speak of that perfect and glorious world.
2 – New Testament references to the Kingdom of God: John 18 calls Jesus Christ the King in the Kingdom of Truth in the Kingdom of Heaven. After the judgment day the followers of Jesus will sit with Him on thrones of glory, Matthew 19:28. Now these disciples must suffer and serve (Matt. 20:26 ), rather than rule. By means of the Gospel witness (Matt. 28:18–20) the Kingdom blazes a trail for itself in history, recruiting its own subjects. The Spirit of Jesus turns enemies into friends (John 3:5), who seek after righteousness (Matt. 6:33; Rom. 3:22), and who manifest something of the Kingdom of Heaven in their walk of life (Col. 1:9·14, 3;5·24).
3 – What is the Kingdom of God?
The word kingdom is often used by Christians in a very narrow (and perhaps wrong) sense. We refer to the use of such terms as “kingdom service,” “kingdom causes,” ‘“kingdom work,” etc. Often these indicate a division of life into ordinary pursuits and extraordinary, the latter to be graced with the word kingdom. Actually the order which was grounded in creation is at the same time the order of the Kingdom of God and the order which Christ came to establish and to administer. Family, marriage, church, state, and all the various spheres of life are under the authority of the ascended, exalted Savior—and are under His rule now. Now these are forms of the Kingdom in a dispensation of imperfection. After Christ’s return they will be such in a dispensation of perfection.
Questions for discussion: Is it correct to identify kingdom with salvation in Christ? What is the relationship between these? What is the purpose of Christ’s kingship (1 Cor. 15:25)? Can men extend the Kingdom (d. Phil. 1:18ff., 2 Cor. 4, Matt. 5:13–16)? May we establish families without regard for God’s rule? What implications does this have for courtship? May we arrange friendships and associations without regard for the kingship of Christ?