KINGDOM LIVING

The central theme of the four Gospels accounts is the ‘Kingdom of God’. For this reason, please read the following edited article on this theme by Robert H. Stein from Walter A. Elwell’s “Backer Theological Dictionary on the Bible” to answer the question in plain and simple English below.

Kingdom of God

The heart of Jesus’ teachings centres around the theme of the kingdom of God. There has been a great deal of debate as to exactly what Jesus meant by the term.

The “Consistent” or Future Kingdom

The kingdom of God was seen by most Jews in Jesus’ day as a future, supernatatural kingdom that would bring history to a close. Jesus’ sayings concerning the kingdom of God would be understood by his audience as referring to such a kingdom, of God as future.

According to this view Jesus taught that the kingdom of God, which would bring history to its end, was in the future. Yet this event was very near, it had not yet fully arrived, but it appeared momentarily. Signs and the powers of the kingdom were already at work, and its glory was already present. As a result Jesus taught the kingdom of God’s nearness for this brief in-between period of history. Soon the Son of Man would come, the final judgement would take place, and world history as we know it would cease.

It is clear that this interpretation takes seriously the future dimension of Jesus’ sayings concerning the kingdom of God. On the other hand, it ignored another kind of saying found in the Gospels, which involves the announcement that the kingdom has already in some way come.

The “Realised” or Present Kingdom

In response to the former view, there arose an opposing view. According to this view Jesus did announce the coming of the awaited kingdom. However, he did not announce that it was coming in the near future. But it had already arrived. Now in Jesus’ ministry the kingdom of God was realised in the coming of Jesus.

This view, like the consistent" view, has the benefit of taking seriously certain biblical data. In the Gospels Jesus announces that the kingdom has come. It is not announced as being near but it is here. It is evident that these two views, unless modified in some way, contradict one another. Both offer convincing biblical evidence in support of their views.

Before we claim that one group is “authentic” whereas the other is not, we should first analyse carefully exactly what the “kingdom” means. Perhaps this will provide the key for understanding what Jesus meant by the “kingdom” of God” how is the term “kingdom” to be understood? Should it be understood as a territory or geographical or cosmic changes that have taken place in the coming of Jesus? No place on this planet can be designated “the kingdom of God.” On the other hand, should we understand the term dynamically as referring to the rule or reign of a king?

Understood as the “reign of God” it is possible for Jesus to announce that in fulfilment of the Old Testament promises the reign of God has arrived. In Jesus’ coming Satan has been defeated. {Luke 10:18; 11:20-22} the outcast of Israel are being gathered as predicted {Mark 2:15-16; Luke 14:24} The Old Testament promises are fulfilled {Luke 10:23-24} the resurrection of the dead has come as the prophets foretold {Mark 1:8}. Indeed the kingdom is “already now realised in history

However, the comings of the Son of Man, the final resurrection, faith turning to sight, are “not yet.” The kingdom of God is both now and not yet. Thus the kingdom of God is “realised” and present in one sense, and yet “consistent” and future in another. This is not a contradiction, but simply the nature of the kingdom. The kingdom has come in fulfilment of the Old Testament promises. A new covenant has been established. But its fuller manifestation and consummation lie in the future. Until then we are to be good and faithful servants {Luke 19:11-27} Walking in Love towards each other!