Kingdom Ready Blog

I was going to continue with the next article in the series on my web site, about how the definition of the Kingdom has been changed over the years.  But I’ve been doing some reading, especially in the Early Church Fathers, and will be expanding that article.  In the meantime, this article is from the Future Events section, and deals with one of the most crucial issues regarding the nature and timing of the Kingdom of god. Thanks to Alex Hall for much of the research in this article.

There is now a schedule for new blog posts, with a different writer each day of the week.  From this point on I will be posting once a week, on Mondays.  Today I will finish the article I started, and continue with another one next week. (Please note I added another passage of Scripture to Part 1 which I had missed before.)

We have seen that the Kingdom of God is primarily referring to the reign of Messiah on earth in the age to come, and that there is an interim period of anticipation and preparation beforehand. During this time we can enter into a covenant with God. Jesus is called the mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:24) and of the New Testament (Hebrews 9:15). Both English words, “covenant” and “testament,” mean the same thing and are translated from the same Greek word, diatheke. A covenant is an agreement made between two parties.

The Christian Hope

As we have seen, God made very specific promises to Abraham and his descendants, about inheriting land on the earth, in the future.  At this point, you may say: “Those promises are all well and good for Abraham; but what does that have to do with me?” After all, most Christians are not literal descendants of Abraham. Scripture has an answer to that question:

Galatians 3:29 (NIV)

²⁹If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Romans 4:16 (NIV)

There is another important item to note about where the kingdom will be located. Scripture indicates that both Jesus, and God himself, will live with us – on the earth – during the kingdom of God:

Psalm 2:6 – ⁶But as for me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.

Psalm 132:14 – ¹⁴Zion is my resting place forever; in her I will dwell, for I prefer her.

Isaiah 24:23 – ²³For the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem.

I just came across this study of 1 Thessalonians by Anthony Buzzard. Enjoy.

Victor sent this article to me via email. Apparently, the US government has decided to put up some cash to help restore Babylon since it was damaged in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The book of Revelation speaks about Babylon as a great metropolis with immense wealth. Chapters 17 and 18 detail the destruction of Babylon before the coming of Christ in chapter 19. Fascinating stuff.

click here to read the article

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals in his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [ Romans 12:17-21 NASB]

Here in revelation a verse of scripture has captured my attention:

Rev 13:7a And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them:

Now based on what is written in this whole passage does it look like God has given the power to the beast or is it the devil?

Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

I don’t know if any of you receive the emails that Dr. John Roller sends out, but I really enjoyed this last one. Dr. Roller is an expert on the doctrine of Conditional Immortality (also called “the sleep of the dead” or “soul sleep”). His impassioned defense of the importance of this doctrine can be watched or listened to on our Death is Sleep resource site. More information about Dr. John Roller, including some articles, may be found on his website. What follows is his explanation of the meaning of Mark 9.48. Before quoting his exposition, it may be helpful to remind you of what the verse says in its context.