Date: November 2006 Series: I Want to be Left Behind (XXV) Title: the Kingdom in the Apocalypse

     The Kingdom in the Apocalypse - If you are wondering “when” the kingdom of God/Christ, mentioned in Revelation 11:15 and 12:10 comes, I would suggest that you let John tell us in that same writing.  The first mention of Christ’s kingdom comes in 1:5-6, where we are told that by the time of John’s writing (late 1st century A.D.) Jesus already was “the ruler of the kings of the earth” and that He had already made Christians to be “a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.”  Then, just a couple of verses later, John declares himself to be “fellow-partaker” (one who participates in something with others at that time) along with those he was writing to (and you need to see this in Greek) of “the tribulation, kingdom, and perseverance” associated with Jesus (1:9).  John told his original readers (and us) that “the kingdom” of Jesus was already well under way by the time the Apocalypse was written!  At this point, we already know enough to answer the “when” question about the kingdom of Christ/God that will come up again.  In 3:21, Jesus declared that He was already sitting on Heaven’s throne.  In chapter 5, the slain but living Lion/Lamb is the Revealer (the Word of God?) and by virtue of His death/blood it is said that He purchased an international kingdom of priests (5:9-10), which certainly seems like a description of the Church to me (an international, blood-bought, priestly kingdom! see 1Peter 2:9-10 and Revelation 1:5-6).

     When you move to Revelation 11:15, the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of God and Christ, but “when” does this event take place?  Let’s review.  When did Daniel say the worldly kingdoms would cease to rule over God’s people and God would establish His kingdom - during the period of the fourth empire from Daniel’s time (Daniel 2), which points to Christ’s first coming in the Days of the Roman Empire.  What did Jesus say about the time for the establishment of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15; 9:1)?  What did Jesus say His casting out of demons demonstrated with reference to the kingdom of God (Matthew 12:28)?  How did Jesus respond to the question about “when” the kingdom was coming (Luke 17:20-21)?  What kingdom were first century Christians already being transferred into (Colossians 1:13-14)?  What has John already told us about the status of Christ’s kingdom at the time he wrote this apocalypse (Revelation 1:5-6,9)?

     To answer this question, I would point you also to the surrounding context of 11:15.  Chapter twelve begins with a woman clothed in the sun, moon, and 12 stars (symbolism for the early Israelite patriarchs in Genesis 37:9-10) ready to give birth to a child destined to rule all nations that is threatened by the dragon, but is caught up to heaven (12:1-5) - this has to be the first coming of Christ!  The Devil is evicted from heavenly access (12:7-9) and then five items are declared to be realities (12:10) - every one of them is a reality proclaimed in connection with the first coming of Jesus!  Take one as an example - the authority of Christ Jesus is a reality at His first coming![1]

     My “Kingdom” Conclusions - God’s “kingdom” plans were for Israel to be a holy and priestly kingdom (Exodus 19:5-6), but they weren’t interested.  It was predicted that once settled in Canaan, the Israelites themselves would desire an earthly monarchy (Deuteronomy 17:14).  When they asked Gideon to establish a dynasty, he refused (Judges 8:22-23).  When they asked Samuel to help them copy their worldly neighbors, God clearly described it for what it was - a rejection of God as Israel’s king (1Samuel 8:3-9) and an evil thing.  However, persistent desires sometimes can only be recognized for the folly they are by letting people experience it, so Israel got their kingdom and for the most part, it wasn’t pretty.  Although adequately prepared for by prophecy and credentialed by miracles, Jesus appeared to deal with sin and to again establish God’s rule directly over His covenant people, Jesus was also rejected as Israel’s king, but this did not surprise God or cause a postponement in God’s program.  God’s Christ has been installed upon Heaven’s throne and throughout this age the warning is sounded to honor the Son before He returns in judgment.  The kingdom came with power during the lifetime of those who saw and heard Jesus (Mark 9:1) and He is king NOW!  Serve Him in His absence or suffer when He returns (Luke 19:11-27; 2Thessalonians 1:7-8).  Premillennialism (earthly Jewish kingdom with Jesus ruling from an earthly throne postponed until after the 2nd coming) is simply an adjusted continuation of the misguided Jewish expectation that God desires an earthly Messianic monarchy system as “the kingdom of God.”  If such is really God’s plan, why is any clear positive evidence of such a scenario so difficult to locate in the New Testament writings?  If it weren’t for the Scofield Reference Bible and the countless paperback books cranked out by eschatological “end-time” junkies, this notion should have died a natural death long ago.  Jesus is coming back, but He is already king - NOW!