Gods Everlasting Kingdom
May 14, 2012
Dear Friends,
One model for the Kingdom of God suggests that the Kingdom of God existed once and will exist again when Christ returns, but in the meantime didn’t exist at all. The suggested dates for the former kingdom vary from either Moses or Saul, but typically end with the over throw of Judah.
In contrast, we would like to suggest the Kingdom of God has always existed and still exists today and that Davidic Kingdom was a unique “national” manifestation of the Kingdom of God on earth. When Christ returns, this national manifestation of the Kingdom of God will again be represented with Jesus ruling over the Promised Land from Jerusalem, but that his rule will also extend to the entire earth.
What evidence would we provide for such an assertion? Probably the most solid evidence of the continuing existence of God’s Kingdom is the plain Scriptural assertions to the everlasting nature of God’s Kingdom:
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. (Ps 145:10-13 NIV)
King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. (Da 4:1-3 NIV)
The Bibles tells us that God’s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom which endures through all generations. While the Kingdom of Men has a distinct termination point and finite existence, by way of contrast, the Kingdom of God is eternal with no termination point.
In addition to this testimony, we have literally dozens of verses which attest to God as a King. It makes no sense to say God is a king “for ever and ever” if He has no kingdom.
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. (Ps. 66:7)
The LORD is King for ever and ever. (Ps. 10:16)
Ps 29:10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. (Jer. 10:10)
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Tim. 1:17)
Certainly, this eternal Kingdom will enter a new phase when Jesus rules from Zion, but it is only a new manifestation of an eternal kingdom, not a new kingdom.
There are some verses which may lead to confusion that this is a new kingdom. One of these verses is found in Daniel 2:44, which reads:
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
The phrase “set up” doesn’t mean that something didn’t exist before, but fits perfectly with the idea of something entering a new phase or manifestation. For example, the same word translated “set up” in Daniel 2:44 is translated “rose up” in Ezra 5:2 concerning Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
It doesn’t mean Zerubbabel didn’t exist before this moment. It means that Zerubbabel entered a new phase when he went from not building God’s house to building God’s house. In the same way, God’s kingdom “in the days of these kings” will rise up a new manifestation of itself in millennial age which will never be overturned and never have to contend with its rival kingdom, the Kingdom of Men, again.
The Kingdom of God may not be as self-evident today as it will be when Jesus returns to this earth to destroy the Kingdom of Men, but it shines brightly in those ambassadors who live by the spirit. “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
Have a great week,
