The Kingdom of God The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Gospels Part I

The Kingdom of GodThe Kingdom of God

The Mediatorial Kingdom in The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Gospelsthe Gospels

Part IPart I

Major Topics for This WeekMajor Topics for This Week

Introduction: The Interpretive Introduction: The Interpretive Relation Between the Two Relation Between the Two TestamentsTestaments

The Announcement of the KingdomThe Announcement of the Kingdom The Identity of this Announced The Identity of this Announced

KingdomKingdom

The Interpretive Relation Between The Interpretive Relation Between the Two Testamentsthe Two Testaments

The Authority and Clarity of the Old TestamentThe Authority and Clarity of the Old Testament• The OT was the Bible of Jesus’ and the apostles’ day. The OT was the Bible of Jesus’ and the apostles’ day. • NT preaching in the apostolic age was tested by its NT preaching in the apostolic age was tested by its

agreement with the OT.agreement with the OT.• That the OT could be understood on its own terms was That the OT could be understood on its own terms was

presupposed on the part of Christ and His apostles.presupposed on the part of Christ and His apostles.• There is no intimation that the OT could not be There is no intimation that the OT could not be

understood apart from later NT revelation or some understood apart from later NT revelation or some particular theological emphasis.particular theological emphasis.

• No NT text should be used to invalidate the clear No NT text should be used to invalidate the clear utterances of the OT prophets; it is important that utterances of the OT prophets; it is important that Scripture be read and interpreted in its Scripture be read and interpreted in its totalitytotality..

The Interpretive Relation Between The Interpretive Relation Between the Two Testamentsthe Two Testaments

Some Problems Connected with Human UnderstandingSome Problems Connected with Human Understanding• The problem of ignorance – “…it is a fact that large and The problem of ignorance – “…it is a fact that large and

important areas of the Word of God are comparatively important areas of the Word of God are comparatively unknown to many people because they are either given no unknown to many people because they are either given no place in the pulpit or wrongly taught” (McClain, p. 262).place in the pulpit or wrongly taught” (McClain, p. 262).

• The problem of unbeliefThe problem of unbelief The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had failed to believe “The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had failed to believe “all all

that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25).that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25). One must accept the totality of Scripture on its various subjects, One must accept the totality of Scripture on its various subjects,

and accept it at its face value.and accept it at its face value.• The problem of limited discernment – One must feed on the The problem of limited discernment – One must feed on the

whole Word of God, not just the Gospels or the epistles. One whole Word of God, not just the Gospels or the epistles. One must also avoid depending upon only one human teacher.must also avoid depending upon only one human teacher.

• The problem of spiritual blindness – the condition of the whole The problem of spiritual blindness – the condition of the whole unsaved world.unsaved world.

• The problem of the finiteness of the human mind – Though the The problem of the finiteness of the human mind – Though the meaning of Scripture is fixed, new insight into that meaning meaning of Scripture is fixed, new insight into that meaning comes about by passing events, by the toil of study, and by comes about by passing events, by the toil of study, and by the discoveries of historical research.the discoveries of historical research.

How the Bible Is Often readHow the Bible Is Often read

Old Testament New Testament

How the Bible Ought to be ReadHow the Bible Ought to be Read

The Word of God

United King.

Northern Kingdom

Southern Kingdom

722 BC

586 BC

The Announcement of the Kingdom in the Gospels

It is important to keep in mind that theannouncement of the kingdom is within the flow of OT history!

Prophets

Prophets

The Announcement of the KingdomThe Announcement of the Kingdom

The NT period opens with several verbal announcements of The NT period opens with several verbal announcements of a kingdom.a kingdom.• Angelic announcements to Zacharias, Mary and Joseph, and Angelic announcements to Zacharias, Mary and Joseph, and

shepherds.shepherds.• Also announced by John the Baptist, Jesus, The Twelve, and Also announced by John the Baptist, Jesus, The Twelve, and

later by the Seventy.later by the Seventy. The Gospels present Jesus as the King of this kingdom.The Gospels present Jesus as the King of this kingdom.

• Genealogies show His Davidic heritage.Genealogies show His Davidic heritage.• “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;

and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end” (Angel’s announcement to Mary in Luke 1:32-33).

The announcement of the Kingdom was supported by The announcement of the Kingdom was supported by miraculous works.miraculous works.• Such miracles were performed both by Christ Himself and by Such miracles were performed both by Christ Himself and by

His commissioned apostles, both by the Twelve and the His commissioned apostles, both by the Twelve and the Seventy.Seventy.

The Announcement of the KingdomThe Announcement of the Kingdom The impact of these miracles upon the people of The impact of these miracles upon the people of

Israel was tremendous.Israel was tremendous.• “And immediately the news about Him went out

everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee” (Mark 1:28).

The genuineness and import of Christ’s miracles The genuineness and import of Christ’s miracles were widely acknowledged.were widely acknowledged.• Even by His enemies: “Even by His enemies: “Therefore the chief priests and

the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, "What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11:47-48).

The announced kingdom was near at hand.The announced kingdom was near at hand.• This is indicated by such phrases as “come upon you” This is indicated by such phrases as “come upon you”

(Luke 11:20), “among you” or “in your midst” (Luke (Luke 11:20), “among you” or “in your midst” (Luke 17:21), and “come near to you” (Luke 10:9, 11).17:21), and “come near to you” (Luke 10:9, 11).

• The long awaited kingdom from OT prophecy had The long awaited kingdom from OT prophecy had arrived in the person of the king!arrived in the person of the king!

The Identity of this Announced The Identity of this Announced KingdomKingdom

Alternative views of this kingdomAlternative views of this kingdom• Liberal-social view – Christ took the social and ethical Liberal-social view – Christ took the social and ethical

ideals of the OT kingdom and made it the responsibility ideals of the OT kingdom and made it the responsibility of His followers to establish these in human society.of His followers to establish these in human society.

• Critical-Eschatological view – Christ initially embraced Critical-Eschatological view – Christ initially embraced the kingdom idea of the prophets, but subsequently the kingdom idea of the prophets, but subsequently changed his message when faced with opposition.changed his message when faced with opposition.

• Spiritualizing-Anti-millennial view – Christ’s kingdom is a Spiritualizing-Anti-millennial view – Christ’s kingdom is a spiritual rule in the hearts of men, not a visible, political spiritual rule in the hearts of men, not a visible, political kingdom on the earth.kingdom on the earth.

• Dual-Kingdom view – Christ offered a spiritual kingdom Dual-Kingdom view – Christ offered a spiritual kingdom at His first coming, and will establish a literal kingdom at at His first coming, and will establish a literal kingdom at His second.His second.

• One-Kingdom view – The Kingdom announced by our One-Kingdom view – The Kingdom announced by our Lord and offered to the nation of Israel at His first Lord and offered to the nation of Israel at His first coming was identical with the Mediatorial Kingdom of OT coming was identical with the Mediatorial Kingdom of OT prophecy, and will be established on earth at the second prophecy, and will be established on earth at the second coming of the king.coming of the king.


The absence of any formal definition of the The absence of any formal definition of the kingdom in its initial announcement indicates that kingdom in its initial announcement indicates that the Jewish hearers were expected to know exactly the Jewish hearers were expected to know exactly what kingdom was meant.what kingdom was meant.• If Christ had a radically different concept of the kingdom, If Christ had a radically different concept of the kingdom,

one would expect an explanation of the difference.one would expect an explanation of the difference. Our Lord never intimated that His conception of Our Lord never intimated that His conception of

the Kingdom differed in any respect or degree the Kingdom differed in any respect or degree from that presented by the OT prophets.from that presented by the OT prophets.

The terms “kingdom of heaven” and “Son of The terms “kingdom of heaven” and “Son of man,” used by Christ in preaching the kingdom, man,” used by Christ in preaching the kingdom, must be understood against the background of must be understood against the background of OT prophecy.OT prophecy.• Both phrases can be traced back to the book of Daniel Both phrases can be traced back to the book of Daniel

(Dan 2:44; 7:13-14). “Kingdom of heaven” does not (Dan 2:44; 7:13-14). “Kingdom of heaven” does not mean a rule mean a rule inin heaven, but rather heaven, but rather fromfrom heaven. heaven.


Our Lord constantly appealed to the OT prophets Our Lord constantly appealed to the OT prophets in support of His regal claims and His message of in support of His regal claims and His message of the kingdom.the kingdom.• See Luke 4:17-21; 7:24-27; 20:41-44.See Luke 4:17-21; 7:24-27; 20:41-44.

The gospel records always connect the kingdom The gospel records always connect the kingdom proclaimed by our Lord with the Kingdom of OT proclaimed by our Lord with the Kingdom of OT prophecy.prophecy.• See Luke 1:17; 1:32, 33; 1:67-79.See Luke 1:17; 1:32, 33; 1:67-79.

The events attending the appearance of the The events attending the appearance of the Messianic King indicate a literal identity between Messianic King indicate a literal identity between the kingdom preached in the Gospels and that of the kingdom preached in the Gospels and that of OT prophecy.OT prophecy.• His predicted birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).His predicted birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).• His triumphal entry with the colt and its mother (Zech His triumphal entry with the colt and its mother (Zech

9:9).9:9).


In our Lord’s message of the Kingdom and His evidential In our Lord’s message of the Kingdom and His evidential works there appear all the essential aspects of the OT works there appear all the essential aspects of the OT prophetical kingdom.prophetical kingdom.• The spiritual element – including the need for repentance and The spiritual element – including the need for repentance and

faith.faith. This explains why Jesus resisted being made king by force (John This explains why Jesus resisted being made king by force (John

6:15).6:15).• The moral element – dealt with in the Sermon on the Mount.The moral element – dealt with in the Sermon on the Mount.• The social element – Christ healed men of their diseases and The social element – Christ healed men of their diseases and

taught love for one’s neighbor.taught love for one’s neighbor.• The ecclesiastical element – The events of the Gospels take The ecclesiastical element – The events of the Gospels take

place under the Mosaic Economy, where the OT Law was the place under the Mosaic Economy, where the OT Law was the authority; this Law will once again be the authority in the authority; this Law will once again be the authority in the future kingdom. Christ also demonstrated His authority over future kingdom. Christ also demonstrated His authority over the Law, particularly the Sabbath.the Law, particularly the Sabbath.

• The political element – the throne of David, located in historic The political element – the throne of David, located in historic Jerusalem. Cf. Matt 25:31-46. In organization, a regenerated Jerusalem. Cf. Matt 25:31-46. In organization, a regenerated Israel exalted above the other nations.Israel exalted above the other nations.

• The physical element – as evidenced by Christ’s miraculous The physical element – as evidenced by Christ’s miraculous works, which were works, which were all all physical in nature.physical in nature.

In Two Weeks: The In Two Weeks: The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Mediatorial Kingdom in the

Four GospelsFour GospelsPart IIPart II

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The Kingdom of God The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Gospels Part I