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The Establishment Of God’s Kingdom

The Seed Promise

Throughout the scriptures there is reference to a coming Seed (Genesis 3:15; 12:1-3; 26:1-5; 28:10-14). Paul identifies this "Seed" as being Christ (Galatians 3:16).

The Prince Of Peace

The patriarch Israel (Jacob) reveals that Christ would come from the tribe of Judah and bear the title of "Shiloh" (Genesis 49:8-12). The context makes it clear that Shiloh is intended to be the title of a person: "...and to HIM shall be the obedience of the people." The form of this word (Shiloh) is related to the word for peace, and may mean the "Prince of Peace" (Cp. Isaiah 9:6). The "Prince of Peace" is shown forth as a ruler or KING to whom "shall be the obedience of the people" (2 Samuel 7:12-17; Zechariah 9:9).

The Kingdom In Prophecy

Both Isaiah (Isaiah 2:1-4) and Daniel (Daniel 2:1-45) speak of God's Kingdom being established in the "latter days." Daniel says that it is during the time of the fourth world empire that God would set up His kingdom. Daniel identifies the Babylonian empire as the first (Daniel 2:37-44). Historians identify the succeeding empires as being the Medo-Persian, Macedonian, and the Roman Empire. It would be during the rule of this fourth kingdom that God would set up His kingdom. The Roman empire, then, represented the furthest point, the point which lies on the outermost limits of the speaker's horizon, the latter days.

"...that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills..." (Isaiah 2:2).

The word mountain signifies a government (Jeremiah 51:25). God's government would be established and exalted above all others. It is to this mountain that Christians have come (Hebrews 12:18-22). These verses make it clear that God's Kingdom was to be spiritual in nature (Cp. John 18:36).

"...and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, `Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob...'" (Isaiah 2:2-3).

The "many people" here are the equivalent to the "all nations" of verse two. Men and women of all nations would flow to the new spiritual Mount Zion.

"He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths" (Isaiah 2:3).

Instead of the deafness and rebellion that characterized the people of Isaiah's day, there would be readiness to hear and a willingness to walk in God's way.

"For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3).

This was fulfilled in a literal sense, for it was in Jerusalem that the first gospel sermon was preached (Acts 2).

"The Kingdom Of God Is At Hand"

Old Testament prophets speak of the establishment of God's Kingdom as being "in the latter days." In the New Testament, the message of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles is "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:6-7). The words at hand mean NEAR. Jesus Himself further narrows the time frame when He said to some of the disciples, right there with Him, that they would not die until they saw the Kingdom of God present with power (Mark 9:1).

The Kingdom Of God Established

Compare the following Kingdom prophecies with the events in Acts 2. Established in the last days (Isaiah 2:1; Acts 2:16-17), in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:1; Acts 1:8-2:1), during Roman rule (Daniel 2:44; Acts 11:28; 25:25), in the lifetime of Jesus' disciples (Mark 9:1), with power (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4), and as a Kingdom for all nations (Isaiah 2:2-3; Acts 2:5-7). And the word of the Lord was to go forth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3; Acts 1:8; 2:14-38).

The establishment of the church and the establishment of the Kingdom were the same event! Consider the following points:

"Many people shall come and say, `Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob" (Isaiah 2:3).

The word mountain (Isaiah 2:2) is a reference to the Kingdom of God, which is also called the "house of the God of Jacob." The Kingdom and the house of God are used interchangeably. Paul equates the house of God with the church (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

The Kingdom Of God Now Present

After Acts 2 the Kingdom is spoken of as being in existence! (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9).

Conclusion

The prophets foretold that God's Kingdom would be established in the last days. John, Jesus, and the apostles preached that its establishment was imminent. All the prophecies concerning the establishment of God's Kingdom are fulfilled in Acts 2. After Acts 2 the Kingdom is spoken of in the present tense. When Jesus comes again He will deliver the Kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:23-24).

QUESTIONS

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1. To whom does the "Seed" promise refer?

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2. What Old Testament scriptures show that Jesus is to be King?

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3. How does the word Shiloh relate to Jesus? (Genesis 49:8-10).

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4. To what time period does the term "latter days" refer?

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5. Define the word mountain as used in Isaiah 2:1-4.

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6. Name the four successive kingdoms of which Daniel speaks and say when God would set up His Kingdom?

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7. What do the following scriptures tell us about the nature of God's Kingdom? (Isaiah 2:1-4; Luke 17:20-21; John 18:36; Hebrews 12:18-22).

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8.What did John, Jesus, and the apostles preach concerning the Kingdom of God?

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9. When was the Kingdom of God established?

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10.Will Jesus set up a Kingdom when He returns? (1 Corinthians 15:21-24).

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We look forward to receiving your answers.