II. WHOSE IT IS

1. I answer, it is God’s kingdom. Acts 14:22: “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” 2 Thessalonians 1:5: “Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.” Both of these show that the kingdom of God was not then come; but believers were exhorted to be faithful, and endure sufferings and tribulation, that they might be counted worthy to obtain the kingdom of God when it should come. Therefore, none will pretend that a temporal millennium is here alluded to, or that the gospel church is here meant; for these brethren were already counted worthy to belong to the church.TKOG 10.1

Again, Luke 14:15: “And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” Now, I ask, is every one blessed who eats bread in the church, or in the gospel day? If so, what can the text mean, (Luke 13:20,) “Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets?” Every unbiassed mind must see at once that the kingdom of God of which our text speaks, is not temporal, but eternal; not earthly, but heavenly.TKOG 10.2

2. It is a kingdom given unto Jesus Christ, the Son of man, when he leaves the mediatorial seat, gives up the redeemed church to God the Father, and the mediatorship becomes subject to God. Christ having performed all the work which the Father gave him to do as Mediator, the mediatorial kingdom, or kingdom of grace, is given up, and the kingdom of God set up, and Christ now sits on the throne of his father David, having put down all enemies, and all authority and power, against his rightful reign on earth, having dashed the kingdoms to pieces like a potter’s vessel, burned up the wicked, cleansed the earth, and raised the saints. Then the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. Then Jesus will be God blessed forevermore; and his kingdom will fill the whole earth, and his tabernacle will be with men, and he will dwell with them, and be their God, and they shall be his people.TKOG 11.1

Now you will ask for my proof. This is right; and in my soul I wish you would be as particular with all who preach the gospel, and demand their evidences. We should have less error in our world, and more truth.TKOG 12.1

First; see Daniel 7:13, 14: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” This proves the kingdom given to the Son of man.TKOG 12.2

Second; see 1 Chronicles 15:23-28: “But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.” Also, Psalm 2:9: “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Psalm 5:3, 6: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Thou shalt destroy them that speak teasing; the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.” 2 Peter 3:10: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up.” Also, verse 13: “Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Revelation 11:15: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Psalm 67:2, 9: “For the Lord Most High is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.” “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” Zechariah 14:9: “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.” Romans 9:5: “Whose are the fathers, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.” Revelation 21:3: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” These texts prove the remainder of what I have stated above; and we may further inquire, To whom is the kingdom given?TKOG 12.3

Third; I answer, it is given to the saints. See Daniel 7:21, 22, 27: “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Matthew 25:34: “Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” James 2:5: “Hearken, my beloved brethren; hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” 2 Peter 1:11: “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” These texts prove abundantly that the saints are to possess and inherit the kingdom, and the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ.TKOG 14.1