THE TIMING OF THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD After trying to exhaust the Bibles teachings on the KINGDOM

OF GOD (or KINGDOM OF HEAVEN in Matthew), I have concluded that the Kingdom of God as a reality comes in 5 stages. 4 of these have already taken place. Even while awaiting the final stage, we who are in subjection to Jesus are already a part of the Kingdom, which is very much a reality on this earth, even though many still reject the Kingship of Jesus. As we learn from Jesuss prayer to the Father in Matt. 6:10, the Kingdom of Heaven exists where the will of God is done. And His prayer is for that will to be done and that Kingdom to be present on earth as it is in heaven. Jesuss main focus in His ministry was talking about THE KINGDOM, so the concept must be pretty important. Just saying KINGDOM=CHURCH is an over-simplification and waters down the power of the proclamation of Jesuss Reign over all creation. Plus, try plugging in CHURCH every time you see KINGDOM in the New Testament, and you will see that they are not completely synonymous. We try to equate them based on Matthew 16, but the two terms are used differently elsewhere in the New Testament. The church is the body of believers in the reign of Jesus, so it is the subjects of the Kingdom, but not the Kingdom itself. The Kingdom is the Reign of Christ and the territory (which hearts, which families, which communities) in which He reigns (in heaven or earth). Here are what I see as the 5 stages of the coming of the Kingdom. Each phase marks an announcement to a particular group of the reality of the Kingdom of Heavens presence on Earth. And I think all these stages were part of the pre-determined plan of God. He did

not need to change course. Please examine these Scriptures to see if these things are true, and I welcome dialogue on this issue.

1) The Ministry of Jesus a. Luke 11:20 If I by the finger of God cast out demons, then you know that the Kingdom of God has come upon you b. Luke 16:16 Since John, the gospel of the Kingdom of God has been preached (John declares its near in Matt. 3:2) c. Luke 17:20-21 Either the Kingdom is in your midst or inside you (depending on translation) d. Mark 1:15 The Kingdom of God is at hand e. Matt. 11:11-13 From the days of John the Baptist until NOW the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN suffers violenceSounds like a present Kingdom f. Matt. 21:31 Greek tense is are getting in the Kingdom g. Matt. 23:13 Pharisees are already shutting off the Kingdom from people and not entering themselvesSounds like a present Kingdom 2) The Ascension (3 events wrapped into one stage) a. The Crucifixion (sin conquered New Covenant inaugurated) b. The Resurrection (death conqueredJesus declared the Son of God with POWER Rom. 1:4) c. The Ascension i. Dan. 7:9-22 Picture #1 of the Ascension

1. The scene is in the throne room of God, looking DOWN at the Son of Man coming UP. 2. Jesus is pictured as the conquering King returning home after victory. He has defeated sin. He has defeated death. He has defeated Satan. So He receives His throne as conquering King (THRONES were set up probably one for the ANCIENT OF DAYS and one for the SON OF MAN). 3. He receives a KINGDOM, DOMINION, GLORY, etc. 4. 7:18 The saints receive the KINGDOM as well to possess it forever (Christians stewardship of the reality of Jesus reign) 5. 7:19-22 Conflict between the Roman Empire and the established KINGDOM OF GOD ii. Rev. 12:1-12 Picture #2 of the Ascension (in my view) 1. 12:5 Caught up appears to be Jesus ascension back to heaven 2. 12:7-9 War in heaven seems to be a battle in the heavenly realm around the mission of Jesus. Jesus completes His mission, so Satan is defeated (Luke 10:18 I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning). 3. 12:10-12 Now the KINGDOM truly belongs to Jesus.

4. 12:10 Now the SALVATION, and the POWER, and the KINGDOM OF OUR GOD AND THE AUTHORITY OF HIS CHRIST HAVE COME iii. The Ascension marks the announcement in heaven and the entire spiritual realm that Jesus has conquered and is now reigning as King. So the Kingdom has come. Jesus is on the throne. 3) Pentecost a. Matt. 16:19 Peter will have the keys of the kingdom b. Mark 9:1 Some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come with power (granted, this could be Pentecost or Jerusalems Destruction) c. Acts 1:3-8 In answer to the question about when the Kingdom will be restored to Israel (1:6), Jesus responds with, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (1:7). d. Acts 2:29-36 A major part of Peters Pentecost Sermon is Jesus inheriting the throne of David. i. 2:36 God has made Him both Lord and Christ (Anointed One) ii. Peter is announcing (declaring) on earth the results of the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension: JESUS IS KING AND THE KINGDOM IS HERE. The coronation has already taken place in heaven, and the announcement has already been made there. Now the same announcement is made on earth just days later.

4) Destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70) a. Luke 21:20, 29-32 b. About 40 years after Jesus ministry and the establishment of the church. So the Kingdom has already been here and active. c. But the Jews are still holding onto the idea of a kingdom of Israel being restored. Jerusalems destruction shatters that dream. Its an announcement to the world that physical Israel will never again possess THE THRONE. 5) Jesus Final Coming (This is not the same as millennialism) a. The Kingdom has been active and present all along but only in the end will EVERY KNEE BOW and EVERY TONGUE CONFESS Jesus as Lord b. Matt. 7:21-23 On THAT DAY (Day of Judgment)speaking of entrance into the final stage of the kingdom c. Matt. 8:11 could be the final stage of the kingdom d. Matt. 25:31-34 Day of Judgment the sheep will inherit the kingdom e. Matt. 13:36-43 Wheat and tares grow together in what appears to be THE KINGDOM. But the tares will not participate in the final stage of the kingdom at the resurrection of the dead f. 1 Cor. 15:20-28 All rival kingdoms will be abolished, including any reign that death still has. Then He willingly hands the Kingdom back to the Father when all have been subjected to the reign of Christ.

g. Rev. 11:15-19 Those who are part of the Kingdom on earth becoming one with the heavenly Kingdom h. 2 Pet. 1:5-11 Entrance into the eternal kingdomWILL BE supplied to you (if the virtues are yours and increasingwhich comes after becoming a Christian) i. 2 Tim. 4:1 To judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and HIS KINGDOM (judgment context) j. 2 Tim. 4:18 The LordWILL BRING me safely to HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM k. Acts 14:22 Strengthening the souls of the disciples (Christians who are already part of the Kingdom)saying Through many tribulations we must ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. He appears to be talking of a future entrance. l. Jesus Final Coming marks the final stage of the KINGDOM associated with judgment of those who have already rejected the Kingdom on earth. Now Jesuss Reign is announced to all creation (Phil. 2:9-11). Conclusion: 1) Jesuss Ministry: The message of the Kingdom arriving on earth is declared and witnessed through miracles, demons being defeated, and Jesuss teachings 2) The Ascension: Jesus returns home as conqueror of sin and death and has a throne prepared for Him to reign at the right hand of the Father. The Kingdom is given to Him. Satan knows hes defeated, and the reality of the Kingdom is proclaimed to the entire heavenly realm.

3) Pentecost: Peters message proclaims the reality of Jesuss reign on Gods Throne. What has already been proclaimed in heaven is now known on earth. With the keys of the Kingdom, Peters message opens up the Kingdom to every tribe and tongue. 4) The Destruction of Jerusalem: The Jews who held onto a hope of an earthly throne with a Jewish Messiah reigning from Jerusalem have their hope crushed with another message that Gods Kingdom has already come and theyre missing it. 5) Jesuss Final Coming: The final stage of the Kingdom, which will last eternally, begins. The announcement is made to all creation so that every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord. What has been the Kingdom of heaven in heaven and the Kingdom of heaven on earth will become one for all eternity with all in subjection to Christ. Jesus then hands the Kingdom back to the Father so that God may be all in all.