I. Video. In The Presence of Jehovah.
A. Data. Terry MacAlmon.
B. Thoughts. As we learn more about the future that we will have with Jesus, LORD OF LORD, AND KING OF KINGS (Revelation 19:11), let us not neglect the worship of our Lord in our daily lives.
II. Introduction. In order for us to proceed forward in this study we must understand what Jesus meant by the words “parable” and “kingdom,” as they relate to the context of the teaching that Jesus had with the Jews of first century Israel.
A. Scripture Passage. (Matt 13:3)He (Jesus) spoke many things to them (Disciples) in parables. (Matt 13:11)“To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
B. Mysteries and Parables Explanation (The Coming Kingdom).
1. Regarding the kingdom mysteries of Matthew 13, as explained in previous articles, when the parables of Matthew 13 are understood together, we can gain a picture of the course of the present “mystery age.” (p104).
2. Despite this unprecedented opportunity, Israel rejected the kingdom offer (Matt. 12) leading to the kingdom’s postponement. Due to this postponement, Christ began to explain the spiritual conditions that would prevail during the kingdom’s absence. This interim program includes His revelation of the kingdom mysteries (Matt. 13) and the church (Matt. 16:18). Regarding the kingdom mysteries of Matthew 13, as explained in previous articles, when the parables of Matthew 13 are understood together, we can gain a picture of the course of the present “mystery age.” (p140)
C. The Theocratic Administrator and the Theocratic Kingdom (The Coming Kingdom).
Because today’s evangelical world largely believes that the church is presently experiencing the messianic kingdom, we began a study chronicling what the Bible teaches concerning this important issue of the kingdom. That there will be a future, messianic kingdom on earth has been revealed thus far through the divine intention to restore the office of Theocratic Administrator (Gen. 1:26-28) that was lost in Eden (Gen. 3). Likewise, the promise of a future, earthly, messianic reign was prophesied in the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 15) and related sub-covenants. It was also explained that while these covenants guarantee that the kingdom will one day come to the earth through Israel, according to the Mosaic Covenant, the kingdom’s ultimate manifestation is conditioned upon the nation’s acceptance of Christ as her long-awaited king during the final events of the future Tribulation period. The previous article also explained how God restored the office of Theocratic Administrator that was lost in Eden, at least in a limited sense, at Sinai. This theocratic arrangement covered most of Old Testament history as God, even after the time of Moses, governed Israel indirectly through Joshua, various judges, and finally, Israel’s kings until the Babylonian Captivity ended the Theocracy (p7-10).
D. The use of the term kingdom of heaven (Things To Come).
1. In the Scriptures the term “kingdom” is used in seven different ways: (1) The Gentile kingdoms, (2) the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, (3) the kingdom of Satan, (4) God’s universal kingdom, (5) a spiritual kingdom, (6) the millennial Davidic kingdom, and (7) the mystery form of the kingdom. For the purposes of this study, we will discuss the spiritual, millennial, and mystery forms of the kingdom (p142). (The Theocratic Kingdom is described above, mine).
2. The spiritual kingdom, which is closely related with God’s universal kingdom, is composed of the elect of all ages, who have experienced a new birth by the power of the Holy Spirit. This kingdom can not be entered into apart from a new birth. It is referred to in Matt 6:33; John 3:3-5, etc. (p142).
3.The millennial kingdom is declared to be a literal earthly kingdom over which Christ rules from David’s throne in fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7:8-17, Matt 1:1, Luke 1:32). This kingdom is the subject of OT prophecy (2 Sam 7:8-17; Isa 9:6-7; 11:1-16; Jere 23:5, etc. This kingdom was proclaimed as being “at hand” at Christ’s first advent (Matt 3:2; 4:27; 10:5-7); but was rejected by Israel and therefore postponed (Matt 23:37-39). It will again be announced to Israel in the tribulation period (Matt 24:14). It will be received by Israel and set up at the second advent of Christ (Isa 24:23; Rev 19:11-16; 20:1-6) (142).
4.The mystery form of the kingdom brings us to a concept entirely distinct from the preceding two. That God was going to establish a kingdom on earth was no mystery. Since the first sin in heaven, when god’s sovereignty was challenged, it was His purpose to manifest His sovereignty by the establishment of a kingdom over when He ruled. When Adam was created dominion was given to him (Gen 1:26) so he might manifest the sovereignty that belonged to God, which was Adam’s by appointment. But Adam sinned and there was no such manifestation of God’s authority. The reign of conscience was intended to bear evidence to the individual as to his responsibility to the sovereignty to God, but man failed under this test. Human government was ordained that men might recognize that government was a manifestation of God’s sovereignty, but man rebelled against that. God appointed Judges so that these might manifest God’s authority, but man rejected this display of sovereignty. God instituted a theocracy, in which God was recognized as sovereign, but the nation chosen to manifest this display of sovereignty rebelled (1 Sam. 8:7). God then revealed His program to manifest His sovereignty through David’s seed who would reign (2 Sam 7:16). And when Christ came, even this manifestation of God’s purpose to re-establish sovereignty was rejected. Sinful man has consistently rejected each manifestation of the authority of God. Within this program of God, it was not the fact that God was going to establish a kingdom that was an unrevealed secret. The mystery was the fact that when the One in whom this program was to be realized was publicly presented He would be rejected and an age would fall between His ejection and the fulfillment of God’s purpose of sovereignty at His second advent. The mystery form of of the kingdom, then, has reference to the age between the two advents of Christ. The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven describe the conditions that prevail on the earth in that interim while the king is absent. These mysteries thus relate this present age to the eternal purposes of God in regard to His kingdom (p142, 143). (The Mystery Kingdom is also known as the inter-advent age, mine).
III. Sources. Each of the following book sources should be considered for purchase and used in studies of God’s Holy Word, especially as it relates to its end times teachings.
A. The Coming Kingdom, Dr. Andrew M. Woods, Dallas Theological Seminary. (Th. M., J.D., Ph. D.)
http://andywoodsministries.org/
http://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/teachers/andy_woods/bio.htm?x=x
https://dispensationalpublishing.com/chafer-theological-seminary-an-interview-with-the-new-president-dr-andy-woods/
http://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/
https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Kingdom-Theology-Changing-Church/dp/1939110211
B. Things To Come, J. Dwight Pentecost, Dallas Theological Seminary. (Th. M., Th. D.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Dwight_Pentecost
IV. Acknowledgements. It is important for readers of these articles to know that my sources of information come from biblically sound theologians. Presidents, Instructors, and graduates from Dallas Theological Seminary and Moody Bible Institute are widely known for their sound understanding of Scripture. It has been a blessing for me to have read books, and watched teaching videos that have an origin from those two seminaries. Please check out the following details that tell of each of the seminaries.
A. Dallas Theological Seminary.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Theological_Seminary
B. Moody Bible Institute.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moody_Bible_Institute
Eternity 