What is the Kingdom of God?

Questions: What is the Kingdom of God?

Hint: the Kingdom has 4 components: a King, subjects (people in kingdom), Rules, & Territory

When did it come?

1. Old Testament Predictions of the Kingdom (The height of Israel’s glory was under the kingship of David approximately 1000 B.C)

  1. Isaiah 2:1-4 (750 B.C.)
    1. Last days
    2. Mountains (Symbolizes kingdoms): Mountain of the Lord, chief of the mountains
    3. All Nations
    4. Jerusalem
  2. Daniel 2:31-45 (550 B.C.)
    1. Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
    2. Empires
      1. a. Babylonian: gold
      2. b. Medo-Persian: silver
      3. c. Alexander the Great: bronze
      4. d. Roman: iron (iron and clay) 3. Rock – cut out not by human hands (therefore God)
      5. 4. Rock becomes huge mountain – filled the whole earth
      6. 5. Kingdom that will never be destroyed (v. 44)

2. New Testament Predictions of the Kingdom

  1. John the Baptist (25 A.D.)
    1. Kingdom is near (Matthew 3:1-6)
  2. Jesus (30 A.D.)
    1. Kingdom is near (Matthew 4:17)
    2. Kingdom will come in the lifetime of some of the disciples (Mark 9:1)
    3. Kingdom will come with power (Mark 9:1)
    4. Kingdom entered by new birth (John 3:1-7)
    5. Kingdom is within you (Luke 17:20-21)
    6. Peter has the keys. (Matthew 16:13-19) Church and the Kingdom are the same and will be built on the truth that Jesus is the Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
    7. Joseph of Arimathea was still waiting for the Kingdom when Jesus died. (Luke 23:50-51)
    8. Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached first in Jerusalem to all nations. (Luke 24:44-49)

3. Fulfillment of the Old and New Testament Predictions Acts 1-2 (33 A.D.)

  1. A. Last days (Acts 2:17)
    1. Isaiah 2:2
  2. B. All nations (Acts 2:5)
    1. 1. Isaiah 2:2
    2. 2. Luke 24:47
  3. C. Jerusalem (Acts 2:5)
    1. 1. Isaiah 2:3
    2. 2. Luke 24:44-49
  4. D. Eternal kingdom (Acts 2:37-42)
    1. 1. Daniel 2:31-45
  5. Date of coming approximately 33 A.D. (Acts 1-2)
    1. 1. Old Testament prophecy
    2. 2. John the Baptist – “is near” (Matthew 3:1-2)
    3. 3. Jesus – ”is near” (Matthew 4:17)
  6. F. Lifetime (Acts 2:14)
    1. 1. Mark 9:1
    2. 2. “Some” – Judas died (Acts 1:18-19)
  7. G. Power (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4)
    1. 1. Mark 9:1
  8. H. New birth (Acts 2:38)
    1. 1. Water and Spirit (John 3:1-7)
  9. I. Kingdom within (Acts 2:37)
    1. 1. Luke 17:20-21
  10. J. Peter with the keys (Acts 2:14, 38)
    1. 1. Matthew 16:19
  11. K. Repentance and forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38)
    1. 1. Luke 24:44-49

4. Conclusion

  1. A. The New Testament church is the kingdom of God on earth established in approximately 33 A.D.
  2. B. Acts 2:42 As citizens of the kingdom and members of the body (the church), we must be devoted to:
    1. 1. Doctrine- the “rules”
    2. 2. Fellowship- the  “people”
    3. 3. Breaking Bread- remembering the savior
    4. 4. Prayer – relationship with the “King”
  3. What priority should the King & Kingdom have in our lives?
    1. Matthew 6:33 We must seek His kingdom & his righteousness first.