The Kingdom of God

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The Kingdom of God

• Some Notes

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The kingship of God (in Aramaic sense) Now
have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God, and the
authority of his Christ. (Revelation
12.10) Kingdom sovereignty, rule
The rule of God
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Men and nations did not acknowledge Israels God
as king. The hope of a time when God would
assert his authority in such a way that all men
would be obedient to his will. (Is 24.23) The
expectation that God would finally establish his
Kingdom.
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When Jesus declares that the Kingdom of God
has drawn near, he is speaking within the context
of this expectation.
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The time has comethe Kingdom of God is
near (NIV) The time is fulfilled
The time of waiting for the kingdom
has ended. Gods appointed
time (kairos) for his kingdom
has come to pass. The arrival of the time for
the kingdom to be revealed.
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If it is by the spirit of God that I drive out
the demons then the kingdom of God has come to
you. (Mt 12.28) The time is over for
crying How long? for the Kingdom of
God. It has made its entrance into
history, though in a hidden fashion.
It will come in increasing measures as Gods
saving acts are accomplished until its
final revelation in glory. The
Kingdom of God has been inaugurated and is
pressing on to its consummation.
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The arrival of the kingdom of God is good news.
But it brings judgment as well as salvation,
and so demands repentance as well as faith.
The proclamation of the kingdom by Jesus is
inseparably bound up with a call for a response
from his hearers. Repent, and believe the
good news.
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Though the final coming of the Kingdom lies in
the future (9.1), it has nevertheless drawn near
in the person of Jesus himself (1.15). --The
one with whom God is well pleased. --The one
who is obedient to Gods will, who has
given the Spirit of God. --The one who has
battle with Satan. Jesus is the very embodiment
of the Kingdom.
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Because he himself lives in obedience to Gods
rule that he can announce the dawning of Gods
Kingdom and demonstrates its presence in his
miracles. Jesus teaching His proclamation of
the Kingdom of God His proclamation involves
healing (the power of Gods Kingdom in Jesus.)
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Marks understanding of the Kingdom of God is
best presented in the Parable of the Sower
(chapter 4)S The secret of the Kingdom is
given to those who respond to Jesus
teaching (4.11). It is present already like
seed (4.26). Hidden, invisible.
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The authority with which Jesus presents his
message and challenges his hearers to respond.
Conversion to a new way of living Repent
(signifying forgiveness). Believe the good
news.
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Greek metanoia Change of mind. OT Hebrew term
for repent is turn (shub). Ezekiel
18.30-32 An alteration in the total moral
attitude. A profound change in lifes
direction. A conversion which affects the
whole of conduct.