PART FOUR
THE KINGDOM IN PROPHECY BECOMES A REALITY
Introduction
God wanted His kingdom in the nation of Israel to function as a family, but it did not happen because they were not spiritual people. If they had been faithful to God there would have been no Law of Moses, no Levitical priesthood and no physical king. Israel would never have lost a battle; therefore, they would have remained a nation in tact until the Messiah came. In spite of all that did happen, the Messiah came and God’s purposes have been, and are being, accomplished with His faithful people. The story of Israel’s rewards and punishments is an example for us today.
Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved. I Cor. 10:5, 6
God now has a kingdom functioning as His family. God’s family is identified by the Holy Spirit as the church of Christ or firstborn, body of Christ; the Israel of God and the church of God in Christ (Rom. 16:16; Gal. 6:16; Eph. 1:22, 23; I Thess. 2:14; Heb. 12:22, 24). These are not proper names for a sign board. They each describe a concept about the citizens of God’s and Christ’s kingdom who still dwell on the earth (Eph. 5:5). And yet one more transition must take place before His kingdom family will be in its eternal state. All members of the church must die or be changed (I Cor. 15:50-53). Also, the present citizens of the kingdom will be judged, so that the lawless and stumbling blocks can be removed (Matt. 13:39-41). We look forward to the return of Jesus when these things will be completed. The Apostle Peter exhorted us to fix our hope completely on Jesus’ return.
Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Pet. 1:13
In Part Four of this series of lessons about God’s Kingdom we will investigate Old Testament prophecies concerning the kingdom with Jesus as king. We will continue to follow the story of physical Israel and watch their role in God’s plan for all nations. We will see spiritual Israel emerge as the church of Christ; therefore, they remain as citizens of God’s kingdom on earth. We will study the prophecies concerning the coming of Jesus Christ and see them fulfilled before our very own eyes. We will watch the Messiah come into the world realm as man. We will have the privilege of hearing Him tell us about the law of life for citizens of His kingdom. We will see Him prepare all things for His reign as king, not on earth, but in heaven.
Finally, we will watch in horror as physical Israel reaches a “new low” by killing the Son of God. Our last study in this Part will let us see all prophecies fulfilled concerning Jesus’ coming to earth for the first time. Also, we will see Jesus Christ begin His reign as king over God’s kingdom with it functioning as a worldwide family with citizens from all nations. All promises to Abraham will have been fulfilled (Rom. 4:17).