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 Kingdom of God

                                                                                   Viv Grigg, 1984, rev June 2006

  1. The Kingdom of God is seen from Genesis to Revelation.  It is the major theme in Jesus teaching.
    • The Kingdom always existed, always will (Gen. 1-4).  It is eternal.
      • It reflects the Nature of God
      • In his rule over creation (delegated to us in the mandate to manage).
      • In his community.  "Am I My Brother's Keeper?"
    • In the Old Testament the King intervenes, but he does not dwell with the people
    •   e.g. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, the Prophets
    • In each intervention, the same principles of economics, social principles, politics are seen.  Each case applies the principles to a different situation.
    • In the New Testament the King invades in the person of a child in a manger, Immanuel.  He comes to dwell.  He left the Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
    • But the Kingdom is not just present but also future. The fullness of the Kingdom is yet to come.  Now we see the signs of the Kingdom.  Then we will see him face to face. Now we see the signs of healing, miracles, but they are only signs.  There we will see him face to face. We will be complete.  We will be with him.

    The ultimate reign of God is connected with the coming of the city of God in the final chapters of Revelations.

    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” (Rev 21:1-3).

    Diagram 1 indicates eternal consistencies of the Kingdom (and covenants), and its social, spiritual and economic principles. These are contrasted with the phase differences in the relationship of the Kingdom of God to humanity in the Old Testament, the New Testament and after the parousia. In the Old Testament he intervenes but does not dwell. The New Covenant is of an indwelling God. After the judgement he will rule the earth.

2. In the Old Testament, the themes of the Kingdom are seen in the covenants.

There are 7 covenants in the scriptures.  All (except one) are given in relationship to three things

  • God-Man
  • Society
  • Land

2. While the theme of the Kingdom remains the same there is a discontinuity in Jesus birth and death

  • His incarnation changes all - he has come to dwell
  • His conditions of discipleship affect the command to manage the earth, and be our brothers/sisters keeper
    • some are called to forsake all
    • we have to put him ahead of family and social relationships
    • we have to deny self

3. Jesus is the Answer  Some of the questions he answers are social, economic or political

4. The Kingdom and Social Relationships

    • Three views throughout history
    • Kingdom In, Over or Against Society

5. A Holistic Kingdom

    Proclaiming is the focus of Kingdom activity

    • Luke 4:18 - Content of the Great Commission - preach good news to the poor
    • Matt 28:18-20 - Extent of Great Commission  - to the ends of the earth

    Holistic ministry  is the context of proclamation

6. Discipleship is the Obedient Response to the King

   Discipleship involves spiritual dimensions, economic discipleship and social discipleship

    Diagram 2 indicates three sets of relationships between King, people and the created order within the Genesis account. The obedient human response to the King is known as discipleship. The first two relationships, God-human, God-human-land are those of authority. The human-human relationships are primarily of equality.

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