A Troubled Kingdom

A kingdom usually involves a king who rules, people to be ruled, and a territory. In Israel’s early days, before Saul became king of Israel, God was the king, Israel was the people, and the Promised Land was the territory. But Israel asked Samuel for a human king so they could be like the nations in and around the Promised Land. This upset Samuel, their leader at that time; he felt rejected.

And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king” (1 Samuel 8:7).

Forsaking God as king was a tragic mistake! Sometimes when the people of Israel got into trouble by forsaking God, they recognized their mistakes, as they did in Hosea’s time:

Then they will say, “We have no king because we did not revere the Lord. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?” (Hosea 10:3).

God had plans to restore His kingship through His Son Jesus, who would sit on David’s throne (see Luke 1:31, 32). When Jesus was born to be God’s representative as king, many of the people were ready to accept Him, but the leaders of Israel had a different frame of mind:

A large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well. On account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him. The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” (John 12:9-13).

The leaders and their followers remained in that frame of mind until they crucified Jesus: “‘Shall I crucify your king?’ Pilate asked. ‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered” (John 19:15b).

Because of their rejection and this kind of thinking, Jesus had said to them: “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit” (Matthew 21:43).

So the kingdom of God was about to change leadership.1

Spiritual and Literal

The existence of the kingdom of heaven during Jesus’ earthly ministry, before His crucifixion, is also seen in these texts:

“But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you” (Matthew 12:28).

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20, 21).

We can see from these scriptures that the kingdom of God was manifest in both a literal and spiritual sense during the time of Christ — literal in that living people were subjects of the kingdom, spiritual in that the kingdom of God was “within” them. But leadership of this kingdom was taken from Israel’s priesthood and rabbis and was given to the apostles and Christian ministers of God.

This kingdom of God under new leadership, as it still exists in the church, can be called a spiritual phase or spiritual era of the kingdom’s existence. But it is also literal in that millions of people recognize Jesus as the foremost ruler in their lives and give primary allegiance to Him as their king.

This literal era has one element missing: the territory. Although the earth is promised to them, the meek as yet have not possessed their inheritance. They are like Hebrews 11:13 describes:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

The earth has been and is controlled by secular governments and leaders of false religions. These believe in false gods and reject the Son of God who died to save them.

So we find scriptures indicating that, at the time of Christ, the kingdom of God was yet to come:

“For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come” (Luke 22:18).

“I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:27).

In Luke 9:27 Jesus spoke as though the kingdom of God had not been seen yet but would be seen before long. Correlating those thoughts with Luke 17:20 reveals a subtle aspect of this subject:

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation.”

That whole discussion seems to suggest that the kingdom of God had not yet come. In the sense of an inheritance, it had not. The Pharisees and others were more interested in controlling the inheritance than they were in understanding the spiritual significance of the kingdom of heaven.

The truth was, however, that the kingdom of God already existed because the disciples of Christ are His kingdom. It was also yet to come because of Who controls the earth and because Jesus is not now reigning here in person.

In His coming kingdom, Christ will be King of kings and Lord of lords:

They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers (Revelation 17:14).

The coming of Jesus ushers in a new era of the kingdom of heaven to last one thousand years (Revelation 20:4). This era ends when King Jesus has overcome His last enemy:

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).

Death is destroyed at the end of the thousand years (Revelation 20:14), when God descends with the New Jerusalem and with a “new heaven” to a “new earth” to dwell with men (Revelation 21:1-3).

So Far . . .

We see evidence that

1. The kingdom of God, under the leadership of priests and rabbis when Jesus was born, was taken from them and given to the disciples of Christ (see Matthew 21:43; Luke 12:32). This kingdom manifested in the Christian church will continue as a literal and spiritual kingdom until the second coming of Christ — literal in that Jesus rules as Lord in the lives of His disciples and spiritual in that the kingdom is within His subjects (“Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you,” Luke 17:21). This is true because His subjects are filled with the Spirit of God.

2. At the Second Coming, a change takes place, ushering in a new era described in Daniel 2:44:

In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms, and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.

John saw a vision of the events of that same time:

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15).

3. A new era, which never ends is ushered in by the events at the fulfillment of the thousand years of Christ’s rule. Then God the Father becomes the “all in all” ruler of His kingdom:

When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).

God’s Plan not Always Understood

The word heaven brings to mind pleasant and wonderful thoughts, based in part on the Scriptures:

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2, 3).

It is commonly assumed that Jesus went away to prepare the New Jerusalem and that heaven is where the saints will dwell forever. The usual concept of what heaven is like is taken from Revelation 21:18-22:

The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Heaven, thus pictured, is believed by some to be a place of bliss, entered at death by worthy souls.

In addition to this concept, part of modern secular thinking holds that everybody goes “to heaven” when they die. Once there, no one is supposed to experience any more pain or sorrow, borrowing the idea from Revelation 21:4 and 22:5. Actually, these are descriptions of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, which will come down from heaven with the Father as the worship center of the kingdom of God on earth, after the millennium.

Heaven does now exist. It is where Jesus sits at the right hand of God — a place also occupied by the angels of God, who have never been human beings. Most Christians suppose that all the saints who have passed on are there “at home with Jesus.”

To many Christians, heaven is a goal worth striving for, no matter what the cost. To others, it is where everyone goes automatically when they die, just because God loves everybody.

These are pleasant thoughts that comfort the living left behind, but what about their theological accuracy? One would think from the widespread belief in heaven as the current “home of the soul” that going there would be a prominent biblical theme. Is it? Does the Bible give a basis for the belief that the worthy will find their reward in heaven? Where will the eternal inheritance of the saints be?

Biblical Truth

The ancient Greek and Babylonian belief that the soul originated in heaven, and must find its way back there by the type of life one lives, has confused Christian doctrine and provided a basis for the concept of souls going to heaven. This is another product of mixing pagan religions with Christianity. The source of our confidence in an inheritance for the saints of God must be the Bible, which reveals God’s plans.

Unlike the popular view of heaven, the kingdom of heaven has to do with rewards. Psalm 37:11 previews what the saints should anticipate: “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace (KJV).” This passage provides a genuine basis for the hopes and dreams of those who serve God.

Verses 22, 29, and 34 give a contrasting statement of what happens to those who do not serve God:

For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off (22).

The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever (29).

Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it (34).

Jesus affirmed the truth of these statements in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5, KJV).

The fulfillment of this declaration will be in the future. The earth was not at the beginning, and is not now, an inheritance controlled by the meek; but when Jesus returns, it will be. Now the earth is dominated by aggressive, oppressive individuals seeking their own profit and pleasure at the expense of others.

Possessing an Inheritance

The prophets show how the saints obtain possession of their inheritance. Daniel 2 describes a mysterious dream of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar and its revelation. In this dream the king saw an image, the sections of which illustrated successive kingdoms that would rule over the earth. They were depicted as a head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron, and feet of part iron and part clay.

Without hands, a stone was cut out of a mountain. It crashed against the feet of the image, breaking the entire image into pieces small enough that a wind came and swept away the rubble. The stone that hit the image became a great mountain and filled the entire earth (see Daniel 2:31-35).

The meaning of the dream is provided in verses 37-44. The metals represented four kingdoms: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, which successively ruled over the part of the globe that the Bible is most concerned with: the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern world of that day.

The lowest and last part of the image was a mixture of iron and clay. When metals are melted, they can be mixed, sometimes producing an alloy stronger than either of the metals; but iron and clay cannot be combined in such a manner. Their mixture represents the inability of men in the end times to agree and form reliable alliances.

This is seen not only between nations but also in the squabbles of political parties within individual nations. Unfortunately, a similar condition exists even within religious bodies. This incohesive condition prevents the rise of a government in that area comparable to the previous four world empires.

The focal point of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is the stone that destroyed the previous kingdoms. This stone, formed without hands, which became a mountain and filled the earth, represents God’s kingdom from heaven.

In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever (Daniel 2:44),

Greater details of this event are given in Zechariah 14:3, 4a, 5b:

Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations [those gathered to war against Jerusalem], as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem . . . Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

This action of the “stone cut out of the mountain without hands,” happens at the coming of the “day of the Lord” (v. 1). The result of these events is given in verse 9: “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”

The meek gain possession of their inheritance by this heavenly intervention. The “stone” represents the kingdom established by the Lord. Other prophets made similar predictions:

In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it (Isaiah 2:2).

In this context, a “mountain” represents a kingdom; hills refers to smaller governments.

In the Christian era, God’s people are called “God’s temple”:

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17).

Thus, in Isaiah 2:2 the “mountain of the Lord’s temple” represents His people, who will be “chief,” or highest, among the mountains, or governments. When the stone becomes a kingdom filling the whole earth, God’s people will rule with Christ over the earth:

And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9, 10).

Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years (20:6).

This “priestly” function is predicted in Isaiah 2:3, 4:

Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

The same message is in Micah 4:1-4. Both prophecies speak of a kingdom coming from God, established here on earth, that will rule over and destroy all kingdoms of the earth:

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the Lord Almighty. “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel” (Malachi 4:1-4).

Restoration and Renewal

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets (Acts 3:19-21).

Two important aspects of the kingdom are revealed here:

1. times of refreshing

2. time of restoring everything.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost after Christ’s ascension brought the times of refreshing, but the time of restoration is yet to come. The restoring involves the return of Jesus, the resurrection of the righteous dead (with bodies not subject to death), and ultimately the restoration of the earth to its Edenic beauty.
Jesus, speaking to the twelve disciples, called this a time of renewal:

“I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).

Jesus will preside as king over the restoration and renewal of the earth when He returns.

In God’s description of the earth’s future renewal (Isaiah 65:17ff), Jerusalem will become a source of rejoicing. Those building houses will live in them. Those planting vineyards will eat of their own fruit. In other words, people will enjoy the fruit of their own labors. No longer will others take advantage of them and reap the fruit of labors they didn’t perform.

In the new earth there will be no violence among animals, nor will animals fear human beings anymore:

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:6-9).

“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord (Isaiah 65:25).

These conditions will reverse the fear of humans instilled in animals when, after Noah’s flood, God permitted humans to eat flesh (Genesis 9:2, 3). If “they will neither harm nor destroy,” then there can be no slaughter of animals for food.

In addition, God will attend to the needs and desires of His people immediately: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

At that time, Jesus will reign on the throne of His forefather King David. After quoting a psalm by David, Peter said:

“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact” (Acts 2:29-32).

These prophecies foretell a time when God will establish His kingdom as supreme here on the earth. Although it will begin with the violent overthrow of the carnal kingdoms of the earth, God’s kingdom will usher in a time of peace and joy, an atmosphere in which the meek will be perfectly at home.

We have seen the broad picture of events at Christ’s return. How, then, do Christians fit into the picture? How will we become part of the sequence of events?

Events at Christ’s Coming

1. The sign of His coming will be revealed:

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).

2. The angels will gather the saved from all over the earth:

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other (Matthew 24:31, KJV).

3. The saved and the unsaved will be separated:

“Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left” (Luke 17:35, 36, KJV).

4. The righteous dead will be resurrected. They will be among those gathered by the angels from all over the earth:

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:13-16).

5. The living and resurrected elect, gathered by the angels, will meet Christ in the air to join those who come with Christ: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones” (Jude 14). They are caught up to meet Christ:

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them [the resurrected righteous] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

So where will the saints be taken? Why do they meet the Lord in the air? There is no doubt about this being a glorious occasion, but what then? Is this the beginning of a trip to heaven? Many theories have been expounded:

1. The righteous proceed with Jesus to reign in heaven with Him forever.
2. The righteous proceed to the “sea of glass” (Revelation 15:2) to live in safety during the seven last plagues.
3. Similarly, the righteous go to heaven for a short period of three and one-half years to be safe from the Great Tribulation; then they return with Christ to the earth.
4. Having met Christ in the air, they proceed with Him to heaven for one thousand years.
5. Or, having met Christ in the air, the righteous proceed with Him to the Mount of Olives to partake in subjugation of the nations drawn up in battle against Jerusalem.

Of these five explanations, we understand number 5 to be the correct one:

Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem . . . Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him (Zechariah 14:3, 4a, 5b).

The result of this coming is given in Zechariah 14:9:

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

This ushers in the time about which Jesus said:

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” (Revelation 3:21, KJV).

Then it will be said:

[Christ] hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (1:6, KJV). 2

Where does this “reigning” take place?

We shall reign on the earth (5:10, KJV).

How long will this go on?

Blessed 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 (20:6).

Ushering in the Final Era of the Kingdom of Heaven

Jesus will reign as king on David’s throne until His every enemy has been defeated:

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:25-28, KJV).

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. This occurs at the end of the millennium, just before the New Jerusalem descends from God out of heaven (see Revelation 20:14).

This completes the millennial era of the kingdom of God and ushers in the final and everlasting era, during which we dwell with God and worship Him and His Son in the New Jerusalem:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).

As Paul admonishes us, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thes­salonians 4:18, KJV).

Review

We have learned that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are synonymous terms. We have learned that the kingdom of God was first manifest under the leadership of the Jewish people and that because of their unbelief and disobedience, the kingdom was taken from them and given to more worthy leadership under the church — with Christ as head and king now over the church and as King of kings and Lord of lords for one thousand years after His return.

This kingdom, made up of overcoming believers, lasts in a literal and spiritual sense, without believers possessing their inheritance until the coming of Christ. Then the righteous reign with Christ for a thousand years. At the end of that time, Jesus relinquishes His leadership to God, His Father and our Father.

During all eras of the kingdom of God — except the millennium and the very last era — there are struggles and trials because of Satan’s evil influence. Satan is confined to the abyss for one thousand years, unable to influence anyone until the thousand years are over. At that time, Satan is released for one last effort to overthrow the kingdom of God as he leads the resurrected wicked dead in one last futile battle. But Satan and his followers are cast into the lake of fire to be destroyed.

This is the final death of anyone, so it is stated that “death and hell” (death and the grave) are to be cast into the lake of fire. This is symbolic language indicating that the curse on humanity for sin has finally been resolved and that by destroying all His enemies in the lake of fire, Christ will destroy death. What a glorious victory that will be!

At the end of the millennium, after Christ’s final victory, God our Father descends with the Holy City, New Jerusalem, from heaven. Then begins that period of joy and perfect peace with no tears or sorrow, and the faithful saints of all ages realize the fulfillment of that age-old dream:

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11:16).

Our constant desire is to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book” (Revelation 22:7).

1 The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven mean the same thing. Compare these verses:

• Matthew 8:11: “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”
• Luke 13:28: “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.”
• Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• Luke 6:20: “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God (KJV).”
• Matthew 19:23, 24: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’”

2 Other versions read, “a kingdom and priests,” but the meaning is not different, for the righteous “reign” with Christ.

Questions for Review and Discussion

1. What are the three usual elements of a kingdom? ___________, ________________, ________________.

2. Who was Israel’s first king? ____________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

3. What were the similar reactions of Israel to a divine king in Samuel’s day, compared to Jesus’ day? ____________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

4. In what way did the kingdom of God already exist during the earthly ministry of Jesus? ________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

5. What elements of a “kingdom” were present during the ministry of Jesus, and what was missing? ___________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

6. Which element troubled Jewish leaders most? ______________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

7. When next will all elements be present at the same time? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

8. What significant change occurred in the kingdom of God at the close of Christ’s earthly ministry? _________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

9. What common assumptions about “heaven” are being challenged? __________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

10. What scriptures help form the usual concepts of heaven? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

11. Which of these scriptures is used to suggest that the faithful will be there? ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

12. If possession of the kingdom of heaven is “inherited,” what is implied about who the heirs would be? (See Galatians 3:29; 5:21; and 1 Corinthians 6:9) __________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

13. What is the main qualification to “inherit” the kingdom of God? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

14. Can one who is not a Christian inherit the kingdom of heaven? ___________. What evidence can you cite to uphold your answer? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

15. What distinguishes the time of refreshing and the time of restoration? __________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

16. Christ must remain in heaven until which time? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

17. What special privilege is promised the twelve apostles? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

18. Contrast the renewal after the flood in Noah’s day and the renewal under the reign of Christ and His servants. ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

19. Where does this “reigning” take place? __________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

20. What part is played in this great drama by those who “overcome”? __________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

21. How long does the reign of Jesus last? __________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

22. What marks the end of Christ’s reign? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

23. What happens to Christ’s kingdom when He no longer rules? ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

24. How does it make you feel to anticipate the nearness of the Lord’s return? ________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________.

Answers:
1. King, people, territory. • 2. Saul. • 3. They preferred a human king over a divine king. • 4. See Matthew 12:28 and Luke 17:20, 21 on page 5. • 5. People and king were present; the territory was missing. • 6. The presence of a King challenging their leadership. • 7. When Jesus returns to reign for 1,000 years. • 8. Leadership was taken from the priests and rabbis and given to the disciples of Christ. • 9. The concept that righteous people go to heaven when they die and modern secular thinking that holds everybody goes to heaven when they die. • 10. John 14:2, 3; Revelation 21:4; 22:5. • 11. John 14:2, 3. • 12. The meek, the righteous, those who belong to Christ. • 13. Belonging to Christ. • 14. No. Revelation 20:6 and Micah 4:1-4. • 15. The time of refreshing occurred at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost; the restoration will occur when Christ returns. • 16. Until the time of restoration and renewal. • 17. They will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. • 18. In Noah’s day, people were permitted to kill animals for food; under the reign of Christ, animals will no longer be killed; no kingdom was established. • 19. We shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10, KJV). • 20. They will serve as priests of God and Christ and reign with Christ (Revelation 20:6). • 21. One thousand years (Revelation 20:6). • 22. When God descends from heaven to dwell among His people. • 23. God the Father will become the supreme ruler, and Christ will be subject to Him.

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