XIII
The Kingdom
It is clear from the Scriptures that God has been trying to set up a "visible" Kingdom on this earth ever since the creation of man, to whom He gave dominion. Gen. 1 :26-28. But that dominion was lost by the "Fall, " and Satan set himself up as the "Prince of this world." Matt. 4:8-10. johnl 4:30.
In the "Call" of Abraham God took the first step toward the setting up of a "visible" Kingdom on this earth, which assumed an outward form in, the "Jewish Commonwealth, " under Moses, and during the administration of Moses, Joshua, the Elders that outlived Joshua, the Judges, David, Solomon, the kings of Israel and Judah down to the Babylonish Captivity, God reigned through these men under the form of a "Theocracy."
Under the Judgeship of Samuel there was a revolt against the "Theocracy, " and Saul was chosen by the people as King. 1Sam. 8:6, 1Sam. 8:7. This was followed by God's selection of David. But the misrule of his successors, and the idolatry of the people, caused the cessation of the Theocratic reign in B.C. 606, and the "Times of the Gentiles" began.
1. The Kingdom at Hand.
But when 600 years of the "Times of the Gentiles" had run their course, God again made the attempt to set up His Kingdom on the earth, and the angel Gabriel announced to Mary the birth of the King. Luke 1:26-28.
Thirty years later the Kings forerunner, John the Baptist, announced that the Kingdom was "at hand, " (Matt. 3:1, Matt. 3:2) ; and when the King manifested Himself to Israel He Himself made the same announcement, (Matt. 4:17-19), and later He sent out the"Twelve, " (Matt. 10:7), and the "Seventy" to proclaim the same thing. Luke 10:1-3.
But the King was rejected and crucified, and the setting up of the Kingdom postponed, and the Kingdom took on its "Mystery Form" under the name of the "Kingdom of Heaven."
Here we must distinguish between the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of Heaven." The "Kingdom of God" is the "Reign of God" in the Universe over all His created creatures, and includes time and eternity, heaven and earth. It is spiritual and "cometh not with observation." Luke l 7:20, l 7:21. It is entered by the"New Birth, " (John 3:5) ; and is not "meat" and "drink, " but "Righteousness and Peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Rom. 14:17.
The "Kingdom of Heaven" is a New Testament term, and is found, in Matthew's Gospel only, where it is mentioned 32 times. Its character is described in the 12 "Kingdom of Heaven Parables" given in Matt. 13:1-3; Matt. 18:23-25; Matt. 20:1-3; Matt. 22:1-3; Matt. 25:1-3. From these Parables we see that the "Kingdom of Heaven" is limited as to its Time and its Sphere. Its Time is from the First to the Second Coming of Christ, and its Sphere is over that part of the world that we call Christendom. In the "Kingdom of Heaven" there is a mixture of good and evil, of "Wheat" and "Tares, " of "Good Fish" and "Bad Fish, " of "Wise Virgins" and "Foolish Virgins.
THE POSTPONEMENT THEORY
There. are some who object to what they call the "Postponement Theory, " and claim that the Kingdom which was "At Hand" was not an outward visible Kingdom, but a spiritual Kingdom, and that it was not withdrawn but is seen today in "New Born" believers. They base their claim on the fact that the earthly visible Kingdom of Christ could not be set up until after He had suffered and died on the Cross as the Saviour of men, and had risen from the dead, and ascended to the Father and received the Kingdom, and that therefore the offer of an outward visible and earthly Kingdom at that time was not a "bona fide" offer, and that John the Baptist and Jesus must have meant by the "Kingdom of Heaven" something else than an outward visible and earthly Kingdom. What are the facts? First that the Old Testament scriptures teach that there is to be an earthly and visible Kingdom over which the Son of Man is to rule (Dan. 7:13-14, Dan. 2:34-35, Dan. 2:44-45; Jer. 23:5; Zech. 14:9), and we know that at the time of Jesus' birth there was a widespread expectation of the coming of the Messiah, and that Simeon and Anna waited in the Temple for the "Consolation of Israel." Luke 2:25-27. We are also told that "Wise Men" came from the East to Jerusalem inquiring "Where is He that is born KING OF THE JEWS? " and when they had found Jesus they worshipped Him as KING. Matt. 2:1-3. There can be no question but what Jesus was born to be a KING. It was not until Jesus was 30 years old that John the Baptist appeared at the Jordan preaching-"Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is AT HAND." Matt. 3:2. And we are told that his mission was to "Prepare the Way of the Lord." Matt. 3:3. Isa. 40:3. Prepare the way of the Lord for what? Not for the "Cross" but the "Kingdom." john's message had no meaning to those who heard him and were looking for the setting up of the "Messianic Kingdom, " if he did not mean by the "Kingdom of Heaven" an outward and visible earthly Kingdom. That John himself so believed is evident from the question he sent his disciples while in prison to ask Jesus-"Art Thou He that should come or do we look for another? " Matt. 11:3. The fact that Jesus answered John's question by a number of miracles of healing, which are the "Signs" of the Messianic Kingdom (Isa. 35:1-3), and were proofs of Christ's Messiahship, and told John's disciples to so report, is proof that both John and Jesus had in mind the earthly Messianic Kingdom when they proclaimed that the "Kingdom of heaven was AT HAND." It was the "Kingdom of Heaven, " not because it was a Heavenly or Spiritual Kingdom, but because it was not received from men, but was given from Heaven by God the Father.
While it is true that John the Baptist pointed out to two of his own disciples Jesus as the "Lamb of God" ( ' John 1 29), this was after Jesus' return from the "Wilderness Temptation, and had been revealed to John at the Baptism of Jesus, and does not nullify or alter the character of his previous proclamation that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. We must not forget that as soon as Jesus was baptized He was "immediately" driven into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil (Matt. 4:1-3, Mark 1:11-13), and it was not until 40 days after His Baptism that John pointed out to his disciples Jesus as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." The words "next day" (John 1:29) refer not to the day after Jesus' Baptism, but the next day after the Priests and Levites had inquired of John whether he was the Christ or Elias. John 1:19-21. In John 1:32-34, John the Baptist testifies that he knew not Jesus as the "Lamb of God" until His Baptism. Then he knew by the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove upon Christ that He was the "SON OF GOD." Therefore John the Baptist knew nothing about Christ's sacrificial work at the beginning of his ministry, and his proclamation that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand could have had no reference to a Spiritual Kingdom.
When Nathanael exclaimed-"Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the KING OF ISRAEL" (John 1:49), Jesus did not disclaim the title. When Jesus entered on His own ministry His message was the same as John the Baptist's-"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is AT HAND." Matt. 4:17. The repentance called for was a "NATIONAL REPENTANCE." The Old Testament scriptures clearly teach that the Messianic Kingdom cannot be set up until Israel as a nation REPENTS. In Matt. 4:23 we read-"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the 'Gospel of The Kingdom'." While this was attended with "signs of bodily healing" we are nowhere told that the "Gospel of the Kingdom" had anything to do with the salvation of the soul, and as it is to be preached again after the Rapture of the Church, for a "witness" unto all nations, that the time has come for the setting up of the Kingdom (Matt. 24:14), the inference is that the "Gospel of the Kingdom" has nothing to do with "salvation, " but is simply an announcement that the "Messianic Kingdom" is AT HAND.
When Jesus sent forth the Twelve Disciples He commanded them, saying, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not; but go rather to the 'lost sheep' of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL, and as ye go, preach, saying-'The kingdom of Heaven is AT HAND.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils (demons)." Matt. 10:5-7. Note again that the works they were to perform were "Kingdom SIGNS, " and had no reference to the salvation of the soul. They did not preach the "Gospel of Salvation." but the "Gospel of the Kingdom." And further the "Gospel of Salvation" is for the whole world, but the Disciples were forbidden to go to any but the "House of Israel, " thus showing that what they preached was exclusively for Israel. That the Disciples were expecting the setting up of a visible earthly Kingdom is evidenced by the request of James and John that they might sit, one on the right hand, and the other on the left hand of Jesus in His Kingdom. Mark 10:35-37. If there was to be no earthly Kingdom Jesus would have disabused their minds of that idea, but He confirmed it by saying that the place of honor was not for Him to give, but would be bestowed by His Father. Matt. 20:23.
The fact that after the miracle of the "Loaves and Fishes" the multitude was desirous to take Jesus by force and make Him a KING (John 6:15), reveals what they understood by the preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven being AT HAND. That Jesus prevented their doing so by escaping to a mountain is no evidence that He repudiated the idea of Kingship over a visible earthly Kingdom, but that to have received the Kingdom from them would have been wrong, for He is to receive the Kingdom from the FATHER, and not from men. Dan. 7:13-14. That Jesus did not deny His Kingship of an outward and visible earthly Kingdom is clear from the fact that He accepted the "Hosannahs"of the multitude when He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday in fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy of Zech. 9:9. John 12:12-14. And it was as "KING OF THE JEWS" He was crucified. Matt. 27:37. When Pilate asked Jesus-"Art Thou the king of the JEWS? " He evaded the question, but admitted that He was a KING, and to that end had been born, but that His Kingdom was "not of this world, " that is, it would be given to Him by God the Father, and therefore would be from Heaven. John 18:33-35.
But some one may ask, "What would have happened if the Jews, as a nation, had repented, and accepted Jesus as King, would the earthly Messianic Kingdom have been set up? " Certainly, but not necessarily immediately, for certain Old Testament prophecies as to Jesus' death and resurrection had to be fulfilled, for He had to die for the redemption of the race, before He could assume His office as King. But this could and would have been fulfilled by the Roman Government seizing Jesus and crucifying Him as a usurper, and with Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension, Daniel's 69th week would have terminated, and the 70th week begun without a break, and at its close Jesus would have descended and set up His earthly Kingdom.
But you ask, "What about the Church? If it was God's Eternal Purpose to form the Church (Eph. 1:4), how could it have been formed if there was no break or gap between Daniel's 69th and 70th week, and how therefore could there have been a 'bona fide' offer of an earthly Kingdom to Israel? " The question is hypothetical and based on the supposition that something might have happened that God foresaw would not happen. God's foreknowledge that the Jewish nation would not at that time heed the announcement that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand and repent, does not militate against the sincerity of the announcement any more than the offer of spiritual salvation by a preacher of the Gospel to an audience of sinners who he has every reason to believe will refuse his offer, is not a sincere and "bona fide" offer.
God's Plan and Purpose in the Ages is based upon His FOREKNOWLEDGE. If God had not foreseen that the Jews would reject the King and therefore the Kingdom. He would have planned for the formation of the Church at some other time than this present Dispensation. As the Church was to be purchased by the precious blood of Christ (Acts 20:28, 1Pet. 1:18-20), it was necessary that Jesus should be rejected and crucified, and that by His own nation, for the Prophet Zechariah (Zech. 12:10) foretold that the Jews should look upon Him whom they had PIERCED. But God's foreknowledge did not require or compel the Jewish nation to reject Jesus, any more than Jesus' foreknowledge that Judas would betray Him compelled Judas to so do. The possibility of the Church being crowded out by the repentance of the Jewish nation did not enter into the "Plan of God, " who foresaw the refusal of Israel to accept Jesus as King, and that Israel would not nationally repent until after the Church had been formed and taken out of the world.
In expounding the Scriptures we are not to take something that belongs to a "PAST" and a "FUTURE" Dispensation and put it in the "PRESENT" Dispensation. For instance, "THE KINGDOM." The "PAST" and "COMING" Dispensations have to do with "THE KINGDOM." but the "Present" has to do with the CHURCH. The "Kingdom" is an outward, visible and earthly "POLITICAL ORGANIZATION, " and is to be "set up" on the earth (Dan. 2:44) ; while the "Church" is an invisible and heavenly "SPIRITUAL ORGANISM" that is to be "caught out." 1Thes. 4:16-17. The "Kingdom" was prepared FROM the "Foundation of the World." Matt. 25:34.The "Church" was chosen in Him "BEFORE the Foundation of the World." Eph. 1:4. The "Church" then is not the "Kingdom."
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
A good illustration of the confusion that results when we take things that belong to a FUTURE Dispensation and put them in this PRESENT Dispensation is seen in the "Sermon on the Mount." It is found in Matt. 5:1-3:29. Matthew's Gospel is Jewish and must so be interpreted, though there are teachings in it that have eternal application and may be applied to any Dispensation, as "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled (Matt. 5:18) ; or "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matt. 6:21. But the instructions as to "fasting" (6:16-18) ; the "danger of the Council" (5:22) ; the "Judge, " the "Officer, " and the "Altar" (5:24-25), and the profession "I never knew you, " and such like, have no application to the Christian, but only to those who are under the Law, and therefore must apply to another Dispensation than this.
The absurdity of the application is seen when we note that many professing Christians instead of "loving their enemies, " do not even "love their brethren." Instead of agreeing with their "adversary quickly, " they are unwilling to agree with their "brethren slowly." Instead of not judging others it is the one thing to which they are most addicted. If any sue them and would take away their coat, instead of letting them have their cloak also, they let them have the law. Take the command "Give to him that asketh of thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." Try that upon the average church member and see what you would get. How many if they were smitten on one cheek would turn the other?
Take the "Lord's Prayer, " (Matt. 6:9-11), which is a part of the "Sermon on the Mount." It asks that-"The Kingdom" may come, not that the "Church" may increase and prosper. There is no petition for "Salvation from sin" in it. It asks that "God's will may be done in earth, as it is done in heaven." It is a prayer for those who shall be living in the "Tribulation Period" who in their persecutions will long for the return of the King, that the Kingdom may be set up, and God's will be done, as it will be done then, on earth as it is done in Heaven. At that time the "Beast" (Antichrist) will be in power and no one shall be able to "buy" or "sell" except he that hath the "Mark of the Beast, " and this explains the petition-"Give us this day our DAILY BREAD, "for unless food is supplied miraculously they will perish. And it will be a time when they shall particularly need to be delivered, not from evil, but the EVIL ONE-Satan, who will tempt them to recant and worship the Beast.
The "Sermon on the Mount" was spoken by Christ before His rejection, and was the Constitution of the then offered Kingdom; now that the Kingdom has been withdrawn it is not in force, but will be in the Millennial Kingdom. So we see that we must discriminate between the Dispensations and not dislocate scripture.
