The kingdom of God is the rule of God
The teaching today is extremely important even if it is quite short! It will explain what the kingdom of God is, and put the prophecies concerning the kingdom into an historic context.
Jesus Christ taught us to pray: �Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.� Heaven is such a perfect place because everything is done according to God�s will.
God�s kingdom is where God makes the decisions.
God has set his throne in heaven and rules as a king over all things. He rules in his goodness and love in such a way that heaven is a perfect place - quite simply because God�s will is done perfectly in heaven. Where God decides, that is God�s kingdom! We can say that God�s kingdom is God�s rule and government - the realm where God�s will is done.
When the Almighty Creator and ruler created man He gave them chance to choose good or evil. Mankind was made responsible for the choices they made and the consequences of these choices. Even if God is almighty he never forces his good will on people against their wishes. God�s desire is that people, of their own free will, shall love and serve him and live securely under his protection.
The Bible tells us of many people who submitted to his good guidance and acknowledged his Lordship. These people served God�s plan of salvation. God made his plan known to certain individuals, a family, a nation, a people. Abraham and his descendants are central in God�s plan of salvation.
I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.� (Gen 12:3)
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler�s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and the obedience of the peoples is his. (Gen 49:10)
God worked towards a time in history when his plan would take a big step forward, people would be obedient to his rule and live in the blessing of salvation.
The people of Israel, who were the bearers of the promises and of God�s revelation of his plan of salvation, failed him time after time, but, because of his covenant with Abraham, God continued to reveal himself to them. The other peoples lived in total darkness and were completely ignorant of God�s plan of salvation. They did not know God�s good laws and arrangements and lived according to their sinful desires.
Israel�s prophets rebuked the people for their sin and proclaimed the message of hope of a coming kingdom and a saviour king who would be received by people of all tribes and nations. The prophets spoke of a time to come when people would find salvation and righteousness in God�s kingdom.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:2-7)
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. (Isaiah 42:1-4)
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)
The prophet Daniel puts this into a historical context through his words. He speaks of the four great world powers which should come: Babylonia, Media-Persia, Greece and Rome, and says that
And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall this kingdom be left to another people. It shall crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever; (Daniel 2:44)
This kingdom should come with a �son of man� who would be worshipped by all peoples:
To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)