THE WORD KINGDOM

Often occurs in the New Testament, and sometimes refers to the means and work of grace in the present state; and in other passages it evidently applies to the future immortal state. The terms used in the texts where the word occurs, and the connection, will decide the application.TTKGG 14.1

The New Testament writers at different periods speak of the immortal kingdom as future. It was not set up when our Lord taught his disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come.” Matthew 6:10. The prophets, Christ, and the apostles, all point the church forward to the coming and kingdom of Christ as the time of the consummation of her faith and hope, the end of her toils and sorrows, and the fullness of her joys. Hence, in the pattern prayer of the Christian church of all ages, is the petition, “Thy kingdom come.”TTKGG 14.2

The mother of Zebedee’s children understood the kingdom to be future when she desired our Lord to grant that her two sons might sit, “the one on the right hand and the other on the left,” in his Kingdom. Matthew 20:20, 21.TTKGG 14.3

Again the kingdom was still future when our Lord ate the last passover with the twelve. He said to them, “I say unto you I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come.” Luke 22:18.TTKGG 14.4

But did not Christ set up the kingdom before his ascension to Heaven? Just before his ascension, the disciples inquired, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” It was not then set up. Both Jesus and Paul associate the kingdom with the second advent. Jesus addresses those who are waiting for his coming and kingdom, thus: “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.” Luke 12:35, 36. In this connection he comforts his people with these precious words: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Verse 32. And Paul solemnly charges Timothy “before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.” 2 Timothy 4:1.TTKGG 14.5

Paul took a preaching tour, A.D. 46, to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, “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.” Acts 14:21, 22. This address was not made less than twelve years after the day of Pentecost to those who were already Christians, enjoying the blessings of the kingdom of grace. There was still before them the kingdom of glory, to enter through much tribulation. How say some that the kingdom was set up on the day of Pentecost?TTKGG 15.1

James addresses his epistle to the scattered brethren, A.D. 60, not less than twenty-five years after the day of Pentecost. These were all in the kingdom of grace at that time, and yet he presents the kingdom of glory before them as a matter of promise. He says: “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?” James 2:5.TTKGG 15.2

And the apostle Peter writes his second general epistle to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, not less than thirty years after the complete establishment of the Christian church. He exhorts those who had “obtained like precious faith” to add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, that an entrance might be ministered unto them abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-11.TTKGG 15.3

And Paul declares that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 15:50. This settles the question that there is a kingdom not to be enjoyed by the saints till they put on immortality, or till they enter the immortal state, which the apostle says, verse 52, is “at the last trump.”TTKGG 16.1